City Comparison
Irvine vs Stockton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
Stockton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Irvine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
83% higher than Stockton's.
| Metric | Irvine | Stockton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $1,677 | +83% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $2,627 | +55% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Irvine offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stockton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $58,000 in Stockton.
| Metric | Irvine | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 59,048 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $79,907 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
| Metric | Irvine | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 91.80°F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | 41.70°F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | 22.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | 319 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Irvine has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Stockton.
Irvine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Irvine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Irvine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Irvine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Irvine | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 324,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 7.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
Stockton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are substantially more affordable than nearby coastal California metropolitan regions.
Strategic location along major logistics corridors, rail lines, and the Port of Stockton supports robust employment in supply chain and distribution.
Rich cultural and ethnic diversity reflected in local community life, festivals, and dining options.
Presence of reputable higher education institutions like the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College.
Proximity to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta provides extensive outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, both property and violent, historically track above national medians across several city sectors.
Local unemployment rates frequently run higher than the national and statewide averages.
High car dependency and regional commuter traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5.
Air quality in the Central Valley basin can experience seasonal challenges during summer months and wildfire seasons.
Certain localized health professional shortages exist within San Joaquin County medical sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
Business
82
Stockton
#564California, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,677
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
68
Business
66
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