CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Milwaukee is moderately cheaper than Stockton — 8.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $86,800 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+19.1%
Milwaukee
97.1
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Milwaukee
93.8
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Milwaukee
104.4
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Milwaukee
94.4
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+72.7%
Milwaukee
91.6
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$86,800
$6,800 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 1.0846. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Home Price
$363,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

Stockton, CA

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

Stockton has 19.1% higher housing costs compared to Milwaukee.

Income & Job Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Household Income
$77,000
Per Capita Income
$43,900
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
577,222
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationRetail

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).

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.