City comparison
Yes. Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Las Vegas is cheaper. Median rent is $1,563 a month versus $1,577 in Stockton.
Safety is where Las Vegas and Stockton split most clearly. Las Vegas scores 95 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,563 in Las Vegas and $1,577 in Stockton.
This is a genuine split. Las Vegas wins on cost of living and safety and Stockton wins on the job market. 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. Las Vegas has rougher pockets and Stockton has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Las Vegas and Stockton are 361 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,563 a month in Las Vegas to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $14 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $73,877 in Las Vegas to $79,907 in Stockton, up $6,030 (8%).
The crime index goes from 138 in Las Vegas to 233 in Stockton, up 95 points (69%).
The move
Stockton and Las Vegas are 361 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,563 a month in Las Vegas, down $14 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $73,877 in Las Vegas, down $6,030 (8%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 138 in Las Vegas, down 95 points (41%).
Las Vegas, NV
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 Las Vegas and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Las Vegas rent is 1% cheaper than Stockton
Las Vegas
Winner$1,563/mo
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $1,563 a month in Las Vegas versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Las Vegas is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $14, or $168 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 Las Vegas? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Stockton's median income is 8% higher than Las Vegas
Las Vegas
$73,877
Stockton
Winner$79,907
Median household income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $73,877 in Las Vegas, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Stockton (about $6,030 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
41% lower crime
Las Vegas's crime index is 41% lower than Stockton
Las Vegas
Winner138 (100 = avg)
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Las Vegas's crime index is 138 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% lower in Las Vegas. 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, Las Vegas 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
Las Vegas and Stockton are about even on typical weather.
Las Vegas
75°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Stockton
71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Las Vegas averages about 75°F (80°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). Las Vegas sits near 75°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
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Las Vegas is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,563 a month. Choose Las Vegas if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Las Vegas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 41% lower than Stockton (138 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Stockton is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($79,907). Start with Stockton if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Las Vegas leads on safety (50/100 vs 34/100 in Stockton). With rent tied near $1,563/month, do not assume either lease buys the calmer blocks.
Median income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $73,877 in Las Vegas — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Las Vegas is ahead on safety (50/100 vs 34/100); Stockton is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,577/month rent plus $79,907 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Las Vegas and Stockton, plus other cities in NV and CA.
