CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Lancaster is moderately cheaper than Stockton — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $85,500 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+23.2%
Lancaster
93.8
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+4.5%
Lancaster
100.7
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Lancaster
102.6
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Lancaster
92.8
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+47.4%
Lancaster
107.3
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lancaster to see what you'd need to earn in Stockton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 1.0692. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Stockton has 23.2% higher housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.