City Comparison
Stockton vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stockton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stockton
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stockton's average rent is
33% lower than Anaheim's.
| Metric | Stockton | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,677 | $2,487 | -33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $411 | -3% |
| Utilities | $180 | $262 | -31% |
| Transport | $130 | $514 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,627 | $3,813 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stockton offers 58% 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 Stockton is estimated at
$58,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | Stockton | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,048 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $79,907 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Stockton runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Stockton comes out ahead with 319 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Stockton sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stockton | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anaheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Stockton.
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 | Stockton | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Stockton.
From a growth perspective, Stockton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stockton | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,597 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $22.8B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Anaheim
#597California, USA
41.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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