Median rent is 4% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,577/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $440,900. Households earn more in Stockton ($79,907 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Stockton is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 102.5 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Stockton, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Stockton is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.1 in Stockton vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Stockton, CA
How much would you need to earn in Stockton, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$71,764
You could earn $3,236 less (4% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fort Worth
Texas
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,509/mo in Fort Worth and $1,577/mo in Stockton. Home buyers face a steeper market in Stockton: the median home is $440,900 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
Stockton
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
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 Fort Worth.
Pick Stockton if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.1 vs 102.5).
Stockton is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Stockton.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,577/mo in Stockton, CA. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 4%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $79,907 in Stockton, CA. Stockton, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $95,685 in Stockton, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
