City Comparison
Fremont vs Stockton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fremont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fremont
Stockton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Fremont.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fremont's average rent is
76% higher than Stockton's.
| Metric | Fremont | Stockton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,957 | $1,677 | +76% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $240 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $4,007 | $2,627 | +53% |
| Cost Index | 156 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fremont offers 62% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fremont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fremont is estimated at
$95,000 vs $58,000 in Stockton.
| Metric | Fremont | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,250 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,263 idx | 59,048 idx |
| Household Income | $181,506 | $79,907 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
| Metric | Fremont | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | 63.30°F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | 91.80°F |
| Winter Low | 42.90°F | 41.70°F |
| Rainfall | 20.20 in | 22.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 319 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Fremont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fremont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fremont | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fremont.
From a growth perspective, Stockton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fremont has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fremont | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,442 | 324,597 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 7.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fremont
Advantages
Median household income reaches $181,506, significantly outperforming regional and national medians
Fremont accounts for a major share of Silicon Valley advanced manufacturing and AI hardware leasing activity
Consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States with low violent crime rates
Home to top-tier educational institutions within the Fremont Unified School District
Extensive park systems and recreational assets including Lake Elizabeth and Central Park
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.4 million, creating steep barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers
Average monthly apartment rent sits around $2,957, running roughly 60% above the U.S. average
High cost of living index significantly exceeding the national average
Severe shortage of industrial electrical capacity and high-end commercial spaces relative to surging corporate demand
Significant highway traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across regional corridors
Stockton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are substantially more affordable than nearby coastal California metropolitan regions.
Strategic location along major logistics corridors, rail lines, and the Port of Stockton supports robust employment in supply chain and distribution.
Rich cultural and ethnic diversity reflected in local community life, festivals, and dining options.
Presence of reputable higher education institutions like the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College.
Proximity to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta provides extensive outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, both property and violent, historically track above national medians across several city sectors.
Local unemployment rates frequently run higher than the national and statewide averages.
High car dependency and regional commuter traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5.
Air quality in the Central Valley basin can experience seasonal challenges during summer months and wildfire seasons.
Certain localized health professional shortages exist within San Joaquin County medical sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fremont
#358California, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,957
Avg Salary
$100,250
Cost Index
156
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
59.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
84
Stockton
#564California, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,677
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
68
Business
66
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