City comparison
No. Stockton's crime index is 233 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 314 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,577 in Stockton.
The cost gap between Wichita and Stockton is the real story here. Wichita comes in 38% cheaper on typical rent ($975 vs $1,577), which over a year adds up to $7,224. Median household income runs $64,620 in Wichita and $79,907 in Stockton.
Stockton is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Wichita 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.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Wichita at $975 average has pockets that run $775 and others at $1,375: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Wichita and Stockton are 1,304 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $602 a month (62%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $79,907 in Stockton, up $15,287 (24%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 233 in Stockton, down 93 points (29%).
The move
Stockton and Wichita are 1,304 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $975 a month in Wichita, down $602 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $64,620 in Wichita, down $15,287 (19%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 326 in Wichita, up 93 points (40%).
Wichita, KS
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 Wichita and Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Wichita rent is 38% cheaper than Stockton
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Wichita is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $602/month back in your pocket ($7,224/year). Over five years that's $36,120 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 Stockton, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Wichita is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Stockton? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
24% higher
Stockton's median income is 24% higher than Wichita
Wichita
$64,620
Stockton
Winner$79,907
Median household income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Stockton (about $15,287 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. Wichita can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
29% lower crime
Stockton's crime index is 29% lower than Wichita
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Stockton
Winner233 (100 = avg)
Stockton's crime index is 233 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 29% lower in Stockton. 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, Stockton is the easier city. Wichita can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Stockton weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Stockton
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs). Wichita averages around 61°F. Stockton sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Stockton scores 12% 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 Wichita 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 Wichita
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 38% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita 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 24% 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 29% lower than Wichita (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
On rent alone, Wichita undercuts Stockton by $602/month ($975 vs $1,577). I would not pick Stockton on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Wichita rent at $975/month is still below Stockton's $1,577, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $64,620 in Wichita.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Wichita; Stockton only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Stockton at $79,907 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Wichita and Stockton, plus other cities in KS and CA.
