Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Stockton, CA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Stockton, CA covers 378 mi and about 7h 2m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
378 mi Β· 7h 2m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 105.089, putting Stockton roughly 7.5% below Costa Mesa on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Stockton: 7.5% below Costa Mesa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 17.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Stockton β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.26 |
Median household income in Stockton is 7.5% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 vs $76,851, 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 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
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 378 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 69.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 30.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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.
Is Stockton more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 7.5% lower than Costa Mesa (105.089 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Stockton, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 378 mi and the route typically takes 7h 2m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Stockton, CA.