| Index | Stockton | California | National |
| Cost of living | 128 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 150 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 122 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 130 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in Stockton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Stockton is 128, which is 28% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Stockton may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Stockton falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Stockton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 49.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Household expenses account for 8% of the cost of living index and include the products people rely on every week, from toiletries and detergent to clothing and kitchen essentials. In Stockton, household essentials are 14.1% more expensive than the U.S. average, which can leave less room in your monthly budget.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Stockton is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.2% above the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 33 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Stockton and this is how they responded. 39% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 61% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Stockton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Stockton, the median home price is 61.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 22.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Stockton boasting a median household income of $85,556, 5.2% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Stockton, the utilities index is 20% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Stockton are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $117,527 | $9,794 | $2,742 | $3,526 |
| Renters | $59,902 | $4,992 | $1,398 | $1,797 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Acampo, CA | 266 | 115 | 14.9% |
| Kennedy, CA | 2,977 | 113 | 13.4% |
| August, CA | 8,218 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Garden Acres, CA | 10,318 | 116 | 16.0% |
| Taft Mosswood, CA | 1,099 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 128 | 27.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Henderson, NV | 320,734 | 126 | 26.5% |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
| Vaughan, ON | 321,974 | n/a | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 128 | 27.6% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Safest States In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California
These are the largest cities in California