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Stockton, CA Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Stockton, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Stockton →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Roughly 320,030 people call Stockton, California home. Household income runs $71,612 at the median, roughly in line with what we see across the broader set of cities (-1%).

Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Stockton. The median home value sits at $382,000 (above the multi-city median at +17%), while renters pay a median of $1,417 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.

Home prices in Stockton run about 5.3× median household income — a middle-of-the-road ratio, neither a bargain nor a stretch by our tracked standards. The local housing market has cooled a bit — prices are down roughly 0.88% over the past year. FEMA classifies Stockton's hazard risk as Relatively High. That elevated rating is a major driver of home insurance premiums in the area.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Stockton

Median home value is $382,000 and median gross rent is $1,417/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for San Joaquin fell 0.88% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,742/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Stockton's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Stockton reported a violent crime rate of 1028.9 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Stockton

Planning a move to Stockton? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Stockton, CA?

For a quick read on Stockton: homes carry a median value of $382,000, rent runs a median $1,417 monthly, and household income is a median $71,612, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Stockton?

Using the standard 30%-of-income rule of thumb, affording Stockton's median rent of $1,417/month takes an income of roughly $56,680 a year. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Stockton.

Is it better to rent or buy in Stockton?

Stockton's median rent of $1,417/month translates to about $56,680 a year needed to rent comfortably, versus roughly $87,400 a year for principal and interest on the $382,000 median home (20% down, 30-year fixed, today's rates). How long you'll stay is usually the deciding factor.

Is Stockton safe?

Per FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Stockton's violent crime rate was 1028.9 per 100,000 residents in 2025.

See the full salary breakdown for Stockton →

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Stockton's.