City Comparison
Fontana vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fontana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fontana
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Fontana.
| Metric | Fontana | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,198 | +9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $130 | +38% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $3,098 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fontana offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fontana delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fontana is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | Fontana | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $102,821 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fontana runs warmer on average — a 6.6°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Fontana sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fontana | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.20°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 48.10°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 325 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fontana.
Fontana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fontana leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fontana | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fontana is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, Fontana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Oxnard has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fontana | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,223 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fontana
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $102,821 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
More affordable housing options compared to coastal Los Angeles and Orange County markets.
Strategic Inland Empire location offering strong employment in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Abundant family-oriented amenities including parks, regional recreation areas, and modern libraries.
Strong population growth and ongoing downtown revitalization initiatives enhancing local retail and dining.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs above the national average, driven primarily by housing and transportation costs.
High car dependency with significant regional commute times and heavy freeway traffic.
Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring high seasonal utility usage for cooling.
Rental market competition remains fierce, with average monthly rents significantly outpacing national norms.
Air quality in the Inland Empire basin can experience periodic challenges due to regional geography and logistics traffic.
Oxnard
Advantages
Mild Mediterranean climate with 325 sunny days annually.
Coastal location offering access to beaches and recreational activities.
Significant agricultural and manufacturing economic base.
More affordable housing compared to other major California coastal cities.
Diverse cultural landscape influenced by a large Hispanic and Latino population.
Drawbacks
Higher than national average crime rates, particularly for violent crime.
Cost of living is 32% higher than the U.S. national average, driven by housing costs.
Public transportation is limited, and car dependency is high.
Median home values are significantly above the national average.
Unemployment rate is higher than the national average of 4.198%.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fontana
#297California, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
67.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
70
Oxnard
#598California, USA
41.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,198
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
60.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
70
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fontana and Oxnard.
Open Cost Calculator