City Comparison
Long Beach vs Stockton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stockton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
Stockton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Long Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: Long Beach's average rent is
13% higher than Stockton's.
| Metric | Long Beach | Stockton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,677 | +13% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $240 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,627 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Long Beach offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Long Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Long Beach is estimated at
$68,000 vs $58,000 in Stockton.
| Metric | Long Beach | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 59,048 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $79,907 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.40000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Long Beach | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | 91.80°F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | 41.70°F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | 22.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 319 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Long Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Long Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Long Beach is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Stockton.
From a growth perspective, Stockton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Long Beach | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 324,597 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 7.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Long Beach
Advantages
Median household income stands at $87,430, supporting a stable local purchasing power relative to state baselines.
Exceptional climate featuring 328 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor recreation and coastal activities.
World-class higher education infrastructure anchored by California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Long Beach City College.
Extensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making core districts like Belmont Shore and Downtown highly walkable and bike-friendly.
Diverse and thriving economy driven by international trade at the Port of Long Beach, aerospace, and robust healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices, with average rents exceeding national medians.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries and freeways, particularly related to port freight and commuter transit.
Property crime rates in certain central and urban corridors remain higher than the national average.
State energy taxes and utility costs run noticeably higher than the U.S. average.
Poverty rate sits near 14.3%, indicating income inequality across specific neighborhood pockets.
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.
Long Beach
#579California, USA
45.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$89,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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