Stockton, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Stockton.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Stockton?
Stockton planning snapshot: population 324,975, housing index 123 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $412,900, median rent $1,495, and income near $76,851. Expect 93°F summer highs, 40°F winter lows, and about 30-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1396.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 123U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $412,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,495U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $76,851U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 6.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1396.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 93°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Stockton compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 324,975City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $76,851Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 123ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $412,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year36% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,495City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year11% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 6.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20262.2 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 44Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1396.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)138% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3943.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)28% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 93°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 40°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 13.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals59% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 309As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Stockton grew 11.0% from 292,888 in 2010 to 324,975 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Stockton expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Stockton runs 23 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 123 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $412,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,495 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Stockton?
Budget first around $1,495/month rent or $412,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $412,900
- Median rent $1,495/month
- Median household income $76,851
What is the job market like in Stockton?
Labor-market context for Stockton: unemployment 6.4% and median income $76,851. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 6.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $76,851
How long is the typical commute in Stockton?
Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way in Stockton. Walk Score estimates around 44 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 44/100
Is Stockton safer than similar U.S. cities?
Stockton's FBI-derived violent rate (~1396.7/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1396.7 per 100k
- Property 3943.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Stockton?
Stockton's climate profile: 93°F summer peaks, 40°F winter mornings, 13.4" annual rainfall, and 309 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 93°F
- Winter low 40°F
- 13.4 in rain · 309 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 309 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 30 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 44/100. Unemployment near 6.4% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1396.7 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Relocators eyeing Stockton, California will find roughly 324,975 residents within city limits. With median income around $76,851 and a cost index of 123, the market reads above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,495 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Stockton is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Stockton with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Stockton city, 1600000US0675000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Joaquin County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023237 STOCKTON METRO AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10