Sacramento, CA vs Stockton, CA

Stockton is moderately more affordable than Sacramento, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Sacramento scores 129 compared to 117 for Stockton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sacramento can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month compared to $1,495/month in Stockton — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stockton is more affordable at $412,900 median vs $484,600.

Median household income in Sacramento is $83,753 compared to $76,851 in Stockton (+9%). The higher salaries in Sacramento partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Sacramento spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.3% in Stockton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.4°F vs 63°F). Sacramento receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 13.5" in Stockton.