CostIndexUSA

San Jose, CA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Stockton is slightly cheaper than San Jose — 4.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Jose, you would need $76,200 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.4%
San Jose
211.9
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
San Jose
105.2
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
San Jose
105.3
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
San Jose
95.3
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+1.0%
San Jose
156.7
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$76,200
$3,800 less needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 110.4) = salary × 0.9520. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

Stockton, CA

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

San Jose has 45.4% lower housing costs compared to Stockton.

Income & Job Market

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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).

San Jose, CA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.