Median rent is 4% lower in Stockton ($1,577/mo vs $1,649/mo). Buying is cheaper in Stockton, where the median home runs $440,900 versus $453,400. Households earn more in Ann Arbor ($82,212 vs $79,907 a year). Taken together, Stockton is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 98.2 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Ann Arbor, MI.
City A
Ann Arbor, MI
City B
Stockton, CA
How much would you need to earn in Stockton, CA to maintain your standard of living from Ann Arbor, MI?
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$74,937
You could earn $63 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Ann Arbor
Michigan
Stockton
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,649/mo in Ann Arbor and $1,577/mo in Stockton. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $453,400 in Ann Arbor and $440,900 in Stockton.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Ann Arbor
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Stockton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Stockton (avg AQI 48.0) but not yet for Ann Arbor.
Is Ann Arbor cheaper than Stockton?
Stockton is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 98.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Stockton.
How much is rent in Ann Arbor vs Stockton?
Median rent is $1,649/mo in Ann Arbor, MI and $1,577/mo in Stockton, CA. Stockton, CA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Ann Arbor or Stockton?
Median household income is $82,212 in Ann Arbor, MI and $79,907 in Stockton, CA. Ann Arbor, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Ann Arbor or Stockton?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Stockton to match my Ann Arbor income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Ann Arbor, MI is equivalent to roughly $99,916 in Stockton, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
