Rents are 14% below what Stockton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,990 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Stockton, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 20% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Stockton, CA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Stockton, CA stood at $1,642 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,990, reflecting a 21.2% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $63,916 to $79,907 between 2021 and 2024, a 25.0% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 1.4% since 2021, moving from about 317,818 residents to roughly 322,326. Renters now make up 46.1% of households, compared with 48.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 20% of adults here, versus 18% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Stockton, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.
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Can you afford rent in Stockton on your salary?
At $1,990/mo, how Stockton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Stockton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Stockton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Stockton
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Stockton is $1,990/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,289/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,806/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,428/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,499/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($79,907/yr), Stockton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Stockton residents rent vs. own?
How does Stockton rent compare to the national average?
At $1,990/mo, rent takes ~30% of Stockton's median household income ($79,907/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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