Moving from San Francisco, CA to Stockton, CA
The 124 mi from San Francisco to Stockton translate to about 3h 8m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
124 mi · 3h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, CA 37, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 105.089, putting Stockton roughly 9.1% below San Francisco on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Stockton: 9.1% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 17.3" |
Climate warms by 7.7°F on the annual average — 56.2°F → 63.9°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Stockton — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.1% between San Francisco and Stockton (ACS 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
Is Stockton more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 9.1% lower than San Francisco (105.089 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Stockton, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 124 mi and the route typically takes 3h 8m via CA 12 and CA 37. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Stockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Stockton vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (7.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.3 in vs 20.6 in.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 45.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 124 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 68.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Stockton, CA.