City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Stockton is cheaper. Median rent is $1,577 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Stockton is significant: $140,970 median household versus $79,907. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,577 in Stockton.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Stockton are 63 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,577 a month in Stockton, down $899 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $79,907 in Stockton, down $61,063 (43%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 233 in Stockton, up 50 points (27%).
The move
Stockton and San Francisco are 63 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $899 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $61,063 (76%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 183 in San Francisco, down 50 points (21%).
San Francisco, 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 San Francisco and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Stockton rent is 36% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Stockton
Winner$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $1,577 a month in Stockton versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Stockton is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $899/month back in your pocket ($10,788/year). Over five years that's $53,940 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
76% higher
San Francisco's median income is 76% higher than Stockton
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Stockton
$79,907
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $79,907 in Stockton, so typical pay runs 76% higher in San Francisco (about $61,063 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, San Francisco 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
21% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 21% lower than Stockton
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Stockton are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Stockton
71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 76% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Stockton (183 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 36% 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
San Francisco posts $140,970 median household income against $79,907 in Stockton. That 43% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,577 in Stockton and $2,476 in San Francisco.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $79,907), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 34/100 in Stockton.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in San Francisco; Stockton only makes sense when $1,577/month housing savings outweigh $140,970 median pay in your field.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for San Francisco when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Stockton, plus other cities in CA.
