Living in Stockton, CA
Stockton is the 60th-largest city in the US, home to about 325,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (105.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 324,597+1.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $440,9005.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,577/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $79,907median, per year
- Price level
- 105.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 58° / 95°lows 39° / 61°
- Average commute
- 32 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: San Joaquin County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 13 ft
Metro area: Stockton-Lodi, CA
Cost of living in Stockton
The median home in Stockton is worth $440,900 and the median household earns $79,907 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,577 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area at 105.1, with housing at 115.6 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $78,800 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Stockton?
Stockton weather
Average highs run from 58°F in January to 95°F in July, and January nights average 39°F. It gets 17 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Stockton
People and work
The median resident is 33.9 years old, and 20% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 32 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.9123rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 20%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,12863.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 8.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1980median year
Who moves to Stockton, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Fresno (Fresno County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Las Vegas (Clark County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for San Joaquin County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: drought, inland flooding, earthquake, heat wave.
Home prices
-1.8% in a year
Up 18% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Stockton-Lodi, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
60% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Stockton-Lodi, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Stockton
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- San Joaquin Delta College 2 miles
- Modesto Junior College 28 miles
- Cosumnes River College 34 miles
- Los Medanos College 30 miles
- Las Positas College 32 miles
- University of the Pacific in Stockton
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Stockton
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton Metropolitan Airport SCK | 7 mi | 63,668 |
| Sacramento International Airport SMF | 52 mi | 6,679,426 |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 53 mi | 5,292,736 |
| San Jose International Airport SJC | 54 mi | 5,822,019 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Stockton
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Delta College | 2 mi | 15,781 | $2,451 | 34% |
| University of the Pacific | in town | 3,204 | $24,186 | 73% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Stockton
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 5, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 20 and the first frost comes around December 8.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Stockton.
Wildfire smoke in Stockton
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Stockton on about 53 days a year, including about 13 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Stockton
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 99,093 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Stockton
Downtown Stockton is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton Unified School District | K to 12 | 33,648 | 54 | 23.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Lodi Unified School District (27,109 students), Manteca Unified School District (25,248 students), Tracy Unified School District (13,817 students), Lincoln Unified School District (8,744 students), Escalon Unified School District (2,676 students), Linden Unified School District (2,339 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Stockton's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Stockton's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- San Bernardino, CA81% matchCompare
- Hemet, CA79% matchCompare
- Perris, CA77% matchCompare
- Hesperia, CA76% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Stockton
- Dodge Ridge Ski Area 75 miles
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort 79 miles
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 83 miles
- Sierra-at-Tahoe 88 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Stockton
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Stockton?
Cons
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 90 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Commutes are long: 32 minutes each way on average.
Stockton report card from locals
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Stockton through locals' eyes
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Cities near Stockton
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manteca, CA | 12 mi | 96,693 | $589,900 | 105.1 | Compare |
| Tracy, CA | 18 mi | 101,901 | $699,000 | 105.1 | Compare |
| Antioch, CA | 25 mi | 118,958 | $629,700 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Modesto, CA | 28 mi | 219,652 | $442,700 | 104.1 | Compare |
| Livermore, CA | 29 mi | 83,457 | $1,105,600 | 115.6 | Compare |
| Elk Grove, CA | 31 mi | 185,007 | $630,100 | 106.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Stockton with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Stockton a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter, long commutes. Compare Stockton side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Stockton?
The Census Bureau estimates Stockton had 324,597 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 320,777 in April 2020 (+1.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Stockton?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $78,800 in the Stockton area. The median household here earns $79,907.
When is the best time to visit Stockton?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 95°F and January 58°F for daytime highs.
What county is Stockton in?
Stockton is in San Joaquin County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Stockton in?
Stockton is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Stockton?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Stockton. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.