Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
14% cheaper
Stockton is 14% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $64,773 in Stockton.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Maryland salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 172 while Stockton sits at 126 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $430,000 compared to $400,000 in Stockton, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Columbia versus $1,500 in Stockton.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 104 while Stockton scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (101) match Stockton (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $112,738 compared to $54,658 in Stockton. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Stockton.
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