City Comparison
Modesto vs Stockton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Modesto scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Modesto
Stockton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Modesto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Modesto's average rent is
16% higher than Stockton's.
| Metric | Modesto | Stockton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,677 | +16% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,627 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Modesto offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Modesto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Modesto is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Stockton.
| Metric | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 59,048 idx |
| Household Income | $79,891 | $79,907 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Modesto sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.40°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 94.80°F | 91.80°F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | 41.70°F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | 22.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.70 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 319 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Stockton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stockton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Modesto.
From a growth perspective, Stockton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Modesto has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 219,652 | 324,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 7.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Modesto
Advantages
Median home prices in Modesto remain substantially more affordable than coastal California markets like San Francisco or San Jose.
The city features cultural landmarks like the Gallo Center for the Arts, providing vibrant local entertainment and performing arts.
Proximity to agricultural hubs offers residents access to exceptional local produce and weekly farmers' markets.
Robust regional healthcare networks provide advanced medical care and extensive employment opportunities.
Geographic location provides convenient weekend access to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Drawbacks
Crime rates for both property and violent categories sit notably above the national average.
Summer temperatures regularly reach extreme highs, requiring significant energy costs for residential air conditioning.
High car dependency and limited public transit options lead to congested arterial roadways during peak commuting hours.
Local unemployment rates historically track higher than the national baseline due to seasonal agricultural shifts.
Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley basin can experience periodic degradation during peak summer and wildfire seasons.
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.
Modesto
#546California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$66,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
64.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
71
Business
67
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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