Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Pasadena, CA
VS
Stockton, CA
🏆 Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories
Pasadena
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,818 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
137,554
Stockton
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,612
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
320,030 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Pasadena, CA
Pros
58% less violent crime than Stockton
Households earn $26,206 more per year on average
More college-educated — 54.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 58°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $981,600
Higher rents — median is $2,100/mo
Violent crime (480.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Stockton, CA
Pros
Homes cost $600k less ($382,000 vs $981,600)
Rent averages $683/mo less ($1,417 vs $2,100)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Pasadena
Cons
Median income trails Pasadena by $26,206/yr
Violent crime (1145.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2639.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Pasadena
Median Income
$26,206
$97,818 vs $71,612/yr
Pasadena
Violent Crime
58% lower
480.4 vs 1145.8 per 100k
Pasadena
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Stockton
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 107.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Stockton
Median Home Value
$600k less
$382,000 vs $981,600
Stockton
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.7°F vs 89.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Stockton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 107.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $981,600⚠ High | $382,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,100⚠ High | $1,417⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,818 ✓ Higher | $71,612 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.9 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.2% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 302⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 128⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C- (74) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 18.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 77.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Pasadena Unified | Stockton Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.1°F ✓ Warmer | 58.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.1°F | 94.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.1" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 137,554 | 320,030 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.9 ✓ Older | 33.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 51.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.0% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.8% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasadena's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Stockton's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Stockton is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 13 of 22 categories. Pasadena wins 13 and Stockton wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Pasadena to Stockton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($981,600 vs $382,000 median home), income ($97,818 vs $71,612), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Pasadena, CA and Stockton, CA are about 318 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.