CostIndexUSA

Stockton, CA vs Tempe, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tempe
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Tempe is slightly cheaper than Stockton — 1.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Stockton, you would need $78,600 in Tempe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+4.8%
Stockton
115.6
Tempe
121.2
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Stockton
105.2
Tempe
95
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Stockton
105.3
Tempe
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Stockton
95.3
Tempe
98.8
Utilities41.0%
Stockton
158.2
Tempe
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tempe, AZ
$78,600
$1,400 less needed in Tempe

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 105.1) = salary × 0.9829. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Stockton, CA

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Tempe has 4.8% higher housing costs compared to Stockton.

Income & Job Market

Stockton, CA

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
185,038
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Tempe, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.