Median rent is 4% lower in Stockton ($1,577/mo vs $1,648/mo). Buying is cheaper in Stockton, where the median home runs $440,900 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Colorado Springs ($84,818 vs $79,907 a year). Taken together, Stockton is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 98.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Colorado Springs, CO.
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Stockton, CA
How much would you need to earn in Stockton, CA to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$74,966
You could earn $34 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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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: $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs and $1,577/mo in Stockton. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $452,600 in Colorado Springs 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.
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Stockton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,818/yr).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Stockton?
Stockton is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Stockton.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Stockton?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,577/mo in Stockton, CA. Stockton, CA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Stockton?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $79,907 in Stockton, CA. Colorado Springs, CO 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?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Stockton?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Stockton to match my Colorado Springs income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $99,954 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
