Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Santa Fe and Stockton have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New Mexico salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Santa Fe has a housing index of 153 while Stockton sits at 126 (national average = 100). The median home in Santa Fe costs $480,000 compared to $400,000 in Stockton, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Santa Fe versus $1,500 in Stockton.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Santa Fe scores 103 while Stockton scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Santa Fe (95) are lower than Stockton (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Santa Fe is $61,982 compared to $54,658 in Stockton. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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