The Cost of Living Diaries: Stockton, CA

A local resident shares her perspective on the way of life in San Joaquin County.

By Brittany Anas on December 20, 2023

University of the Pacific

Welcome to The Cost of Living Diaries. How much does it cost to live in Stockton, CA? What are some great coffee shops, restaurants and low-cost activities? Keep reading because we asked a Stockton resident to tell us all about the cost of living in this thriving city!

Those who call San Joaquin County home, like Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi, appreciate that it’s a melting pot and a place that prizes diversity. 

In 2021, she moved from Northern California to Stockton to return to her alma mater, University of the Pacific, where she took on a leadership role as the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. Along with working at the university, she’s also the author of “Twice as Good: Leadership and Power for Women of Color.” After almost two years living in the area, Lomax-Ghirarduzzi shares the ins and outs of life in Stockton. 

So far, what do you like about living here? 
It’s a place where people from diverse backgrounds and communities all over the world make home. It’s a place where you can encounter cultures that are different, and yet, like your own culture. It’s a place where someone can become the first in their family to go to college and change their life’s trajectory in a single generation. All these things are true about Stockton, and I love it. 

What are some free or low-cost ways to explore the area? 
You can ride your bike or jog along the Calaveras River pathway. You can check out the Cesar Chavez Central Library. Or, as part of a visit to Victory Park, it’s great to check out the exhibits at Haggin Museum, where admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for youth. 

What about activities at the University of the Pacific? 
University of the Pacific is a beautiful place. The Stockton campus is stunning with its Gothic architecture and iconic symbols like Burns Tower and Morris Chapel. A walk through campus can positively boost your mood and improve your perspective. 

There are affordable concerts performed by world-class musicians at the Faye Spanos Concert Hall on campus. You can check out our athletics program and watch any one of our competitive Division I student athletes compete with other universities. University of the Pacific is a private university, yet offers terrific opportunities for the community and whole family to enjoy together. 

Where’s your favorite place to get a coffee, and how much would you expect to pay? 
I like grabbing coffee at Dutch Bros or House of Shaw Café & Bakery on Miracle Mile, where a latte is under $4. 

Can you tell us about your favorite restaurants, and about how much a meal costs? 
There are so many to choose from! For lunch, I like Go Falafel on Alpine Avenue (falafel pitas are $10) or Xochimilco Cafe (you can get lunch for under $10) on San Joaquin Street. For dinner, I enjoy Mezzo Restaurant on Brookside Road, where homemade pasta is around $25. But I often head over to Lincoln Center where there are many choices: Market Tavern, Prime Table Steak House and Bud’s Seafood Grille. 

Is there anything that might surprise newcomers about Stockton? 
In 2020, U.S. News and World Report named Stockton as the most racially and ethnically diverse midsize city in the United States. Many cities do not have this kind of diverse representation in their population. Diversity is in the fabric of Stockton and makes the city a great place to live.