City Comparison
Stockton vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stockton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stockton
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Stockton | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,677 | $1,803 | -7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,627 | $2,803 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Bernardino offers 2% lower 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 $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Stockton | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,048 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $79,907 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stockton | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 91.80°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 41.70°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | 328 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stockton | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, Stockton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stockton | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,597 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some 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
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
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