City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Stockton is cheaper. Median rent is $1,577 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
Safety is where Austin and Stockton split most clearly. Austin scores 71 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,577 in Stockton.
This is a genuine split. Austin 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 crime gap is citywide. Austin has rougher pockets and Stockton has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Austin and Stockton are 1,443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,577 a month in Stockton, down $152 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $79,907 in Stockton, down $13,751 (15%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 233 in Stockton, up 71 points (44%).
The move
Stockton and Austin are 1,443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $152 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $93,658 in Austin, up $13,751 (17%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 162 in Austin, down 71 points (30%).
Austin, TX
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 Austin and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Stockton rent is 9% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Stockton
Winner$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $1,577 a month in Stockton versus $1,729 in Austin, so Stockton is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $152, or $1,824 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Austin's median income is 17% higher than Stockton
Austin
Winner$93,658
Stockton
$79,907
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $79,907 in Stockton, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Austin (about $13,751 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, Austin 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
30% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 30% lower than Stockton
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Austin. 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, Austin 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
Austin and Stockton are about even on typical weather.
Austin
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Stockton
71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). Austin sits near 68°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
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Stockton (162 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 9% 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Austin: Austin scores 45/100 versus 34/100 in Stockton, with typical rent at $1,729 versus $1,577. I would vet the exact ZIP in Stockton before trading 11 safety points for housing savings.
Stockton rent at $1,577/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,577 in Stockton and $1,729 in Austin.
Pick Austin when you want the stronger safety signal (45/100). Otherwise, Stockton's case rests on a Stockton ZIP you trust at $1,577 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Austin?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Stockton, plus other cities in TX and CA.
