Moving from San Mateo, CA to Stockton, CA
The 77 mi from San Mateo to Stockton translate to about 1h 34m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
77 mi Β· 1h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 580, CA 92, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Antioch, San Jose, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 Mateo on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Stockton: 9.1% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 17.3" |
Climate warms by 5.2Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 63.9Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Stockton β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.1% between San Mateo 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 20β30% 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 95Β°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 β 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 much do homes cost in Stockton compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 74.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 77 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Stockton more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 9.1% lower than San Mateo (105.089 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 49.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Stockton, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 77 mi and the route typically takes 1h 34m via I 580 and CA 92. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Stockton, CA.