The Stockton metro is home to 787,416 people (up 7.5% over five years), with a median household income of $88,531. Typical rent of $2,431/month works out to 33.0% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Stockton's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 20.6% |
| Retail trade | 11.7% |
| Professional & management | 10.4% |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% |
| Transportation & utilities | 9.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 33.0% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Stockton market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,431/month suggests a household income around $97,000/year. The metro's median household income is $88,531.
By workforce share: Education & health care (20.6%), Retail trade (11.7%), Professional & management (10.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).