Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Stockton, CA
The 99 mi from Santa Rosa to Stockton translate to about 2h 23m 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.
99 mi · 2h 23m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, I 5, CA 121 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Elk Grove, Antioch, Concord, Fairfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Stockton and Santa Rosa is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Stockton is 2.5% below Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $431,328 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 17.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0°F) and Stockton (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Stockton gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.5% between Santa Rosa 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
How far is Stockton, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 23m via CA 12 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Stockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Stockton vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.3 in vs 31.5 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 21.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 99 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 Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Stockton more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 2.5% lower than Santa Rosa (105.089 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Stockton, CA.