salaryRent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 31.7 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,680 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 204 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Stockton with other big cities
Compare Stockton to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Stockton?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Stockton
| Size | Stockton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,277 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,315 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,595 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,962 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,429 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Stockton overall?
Everyday prices in the Stockton-Lodi metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Stockton
Life in Stockton
What jobs pay in Stockton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $174,880 | 13.3% |
| Pharmacist | $162,440 | 14.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $162,110 | 14.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,150 | 14.6% |
| Software Developer | $138,550 | 16.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $134,580 | 17.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $125,130 | 18.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $116,990 | 19.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,310 | 21.9% |
| Operations Manager | $105,040 | 22.2% |
| Police Officer | $99,900 | 23.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $97,400 | 23.9% |
| Accountant | $83,570 | 27.9% |
| Firefighter | $79,540 | 29.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,830 | 29.9% |
| Electrician | $76,410 | 30.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,710 | 30.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,650 | 31.6% |
| Carpenter | $69,160 | 33.7% |
| Plumber | $62,900 | 37.0% |
| Truck Driver | $60,470 | 38.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,990 | 46.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,840 | 48.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,330 | 49.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,530 | 50.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $41,170 | 56.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,660 | 61.9% |
| Cashier | $36,340 | 64.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,460 | 67.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Stockton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,117 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $440,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,090 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Stockton, CA?
Renting in Stockton costs a median of about $1,942 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Stockton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,680 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Stockton cheap or expensive?
Stockton is rated OK: rent takes 27.0% of the typical household income of $86,180. It ranks 204th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Stockton?
The median homeowner in Stockton pays $3,174 a year in property taxes, about 0.72% of the median home value.
Is Stockton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Stockton?
The median home value in Stockton is $440,900, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
322,326 people live in Stockton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.