Santa Ana vs Stockton: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Ana, CA and Stockton, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Stockton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,379 | 320,030 |
| Median household income | $84,210 | $71,612 |
| Median home value | $624,000 | $382,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,885 | $1,417 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Santa Ana, CA and Stockton, CA comes down to what you value most. Stockton has the lower median home value, and Stockton has the lower median rent.
Santa Ana has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Santa Ana or Stockton?
- By median home value, Stockton is the cheaper of the two ($382,000 vs $624,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Ana or Stockton?
- Median household income is $84,210 in Santa Ana versus $71,612 in Stockton, per the US Census Bureau.