City comparison
Yes. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Stockton is cheaper. Median rent is $1,577 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
Safety is where Anaheim and Stockton split most clearly. Anaheim scores 90 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,577 in Stockton.
This is a genuine split. Anaheim wins on the job market and safety and Stockton wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Stockton at $1,577 average has pockets that run $1,377 and others at $1,977: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Stockton are 342 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,577 a month in Stockton, down $598 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $79,907 in Stockton, down $15,320 (16%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 233 in Stockton, up 90 points (63%).
The move
Stockton and Anaheim are 342 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $598 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $15,320 (19%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 143 in Anaheim, down 90 points (39%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Stockton, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Stockton rent is 27% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Stockton
Winner$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $1,577 a month in Stockton versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Stockton is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $598/month back in your pocket ($7,176/year). Over five years that's $35,880 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Stockton is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
19% higher
Anaheim's median income is 19% higher than Stockton
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Stockton
$79,907
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $79,907 in Stockton, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Anaheim (about $15,320 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Stockton can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
39% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 39% lower than Stockton
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% lower in Anaheim. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Anaheim is the easier city. Stockton can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Anaheim and Stockton are about even on typical weather.
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Stockton
71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Stockton sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 19% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 39% lower than Stockton (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Stockton
Stockton is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,577 a month. Choose Stockton if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Anaheim leads on safety (49/100 vs 34/100 in Stockton). Typical rent is $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,577 in Stockton; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Anaheim still pays more locally ($95,227 median income vs $79,907), which can offset the lease if your field pays Anaheim rates.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $79,907 in Stockton.
Between Anaheim and Stockton, Anaheim is ahead on safety — 49/100 safety versus 34/100. Lean Stockton instead when you already know the Stockton block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Anaheim and Stockton, plus other cities in CA.
