How much does it cost to rent in Stockton, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Stockton, CA is $1,989. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Stockton cheaper than other California cities?

Stockton is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #342 out of 387 cities at $1,989/mo.

When was Stockton rent data last updated?

Stockton rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Stockton

Name: Average Rent Prices in Stockton, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 322,326·342nd most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Stockton, CA

Median rent (all units)

$1,989/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.6%

Month-over-Month

+1.8%

vs US Median

+$24

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Stockton · $1,989

More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Stockton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,989/mo

Expected by trend

$2,313/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Stockton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,289

1 BR

$1,428

2 BR

$1,806

3 BR

$2,499

4 BR+

$2,993

Research median

$1,806/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,868/yr

At $1,989/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.6% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

322,326

Median income

$79,907

Median age

33.9

Renters

46.1%

Age distribution

26.7%

25%

13%

Under 1826.7%

18–3425%

35–5425%

55–6410.2%

65+13%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

21.8%

45.6%

21.3%

White21.8%

Black11.3%

Hispanic45.6%

Asian21.3%

Education (25+)

22.5%

27.8%

29.8%

20%

No HS diploma22.5%

HS diploma27.8%

Some college29.8%

Bachelor's+20%

Housing tenure

53.9%

46.1%

Owner53.9%

Renter46.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Stockton, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,642 → $1,989

up 21.1%

Income

$63,916 → $79,907

up 25.0%

Population

317,818 → 322,326

up 1.4%

Renter share

48.8% → 46.1%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

18% → 20%

+2.0 pts

Median age

33 → 33.9

+0.9 yrs

The median rent in Stockton, CA stood at $1,642 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,989, reflecting a 21.1% 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.

Community

Discussions about Stockton

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View Stockton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Stockton on your salary?

At $1,989/mo, how Stockton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 21.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 14.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 11.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 35.7% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 28.9% income

affordable

By apartment size

Stockton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Stockton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Stockton

About renting in Stockton, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Stockton is $1,989/mo as of July 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Stockton an affordable city for renters?

Stockton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,989/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($79,907/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Stockton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Stockton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,989/mo in Stockton. The local median household income is $79,907/yr, meaning the typical Stockton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Stockton?

Rent in Stockton has increased 0.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Stockton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Stockton are 95203 ($1,464/mo), 95207 ($1,802/mo), and 95204 ($1,810/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Stockton is $1,989/mo.

How does Stockton rent compare to other cities in California?

Stockton is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #342 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,989/mo.

What percentage of Stockton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.1% of Stockton households are renters, while 53.9% are owner-occupied. Stockton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Stockton rent compare to the national average?

Stockton's median rent of $1,989/mo is $24 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #342 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $1,989/mo, rent takes ~30% of Stockton's median household income ($79,907/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Stockton 30%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Stockton affordability calculator →

Nearby cities