City comparison
No. Stockton's crime index is 233 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 314 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,577 in Stockton.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Philadelphia and Stockton. Philadelphia averages 54°F while Stockton averages 71°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,397 versus $1,577.
Stockton is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Stockton is the stronger move.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit Philadelphia in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Philadelphia and Stockton are 2,454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $180 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $79,907 in Stockton, up $17,954 (29%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 233 in Stockton, down 28 points (11%).
The move
Stockton and Philadelphia are 2,454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $180 a month (11%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $17,954 (22%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 261 in Philadelphia, up 28 points (12%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
11% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 11% cheaper than Stockton
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Philadelphia is 11% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,160, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Philadelphia still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Stockton.
Planning to buy in Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
29% higher
Stockton's median income is 29% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Stockton
Winner$79,907
Median household income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Stockton (about $17,954 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, Stockton is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Stockton's crime index is 11% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Stockton
Winner233 (100 = avg)
Stockton's crime index is 233 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Stockton. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Stockton, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Philadelphia. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Stockton weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Stockton
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Stockton sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Stockton scores 45% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 11% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 29% higher ($79,907), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Stockton is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Philadelphia (233 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.
Bottom line
Stockton runs 71°F typical weather against 54°F in Philadelphia (comfort scores 100 vs 69). Housing is $1,577/month versus $1,397/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Stockton's $1,577, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,577 in Stockton.
Philadelphia clears the bar on climate in this dataset. Stockton deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 71°F than optimize for Philadelphia's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Stockton, plus other cities in PA and CA.
