Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
7% cheaper
Stockton is 7% more affordable than Scottsdale. A $75,000 salary in Scottsdale is equivalent to $69,512 in Stockton.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Arizona salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Scottsdale has a housing index of 162 while Stockton sits at 126 (national average = 100). The median home in Scottsdale costs $580,000 compared to $400,000 in Stockton, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Scottsdale versus $1,500 in Stockton.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Scottsdale scores 103 while Stockton scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Scottsdale (95) are lower than Stockton (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Scottsdale is $92,298 compared to $54,658 in Stockton. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Stockton.
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