Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Stockton, CA
It is a 338 mi drive, roughly 6h 13m, between Los Angeles, CA and Stockton, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
338 mi · 6h 13m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.5% moving from Los Angeles to Stockton — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $952,183 in Los Angeles to $431,328 in Stockton, a 7.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 17.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.8°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Stockton sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.26 |
Household income lines up — $80,366 vs $76,851 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Stockton average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 4.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Stockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Stockton vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.3 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Stockton more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 7.5% lower than Los Angeles (105.089 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 54.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Stockton, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 13m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Stockton, CA.