City Comparison
Modesto vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Modesto scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Modesto
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Modesto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Oxnard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Modesto's average rent is
11% lower than Oxnard's.
| Metric | Modesto | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,198 | -11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $3,098 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Modesto offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Modesto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Modesto is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | Modesto | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,500 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $79,891 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Modesto sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Modesto | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.40°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 94.80°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.70 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 325 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Modesto.
Modesto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Modesto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Modesto | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Modesto is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, Modesto 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 | Modesto | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 219,652 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Modesto
Advantages
Median home prices in Modesto remain substantially more affordable than coastal California markets like San Francisco or San Jose.
The city features cultural landmarks like the Gallo Center for the Arts, providing vibrant local entertainment and performing arts.
Proximity to agricultural hubs offers residents access to exceptional local produce and weekly farmers' markets.
Robust regional healthcare networks provide advanced medical care and extensive employment opportunities.
Geographic location provides convenient weekend access to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Drawbacks
Crime rates for both property and violent categories sit notably above the national average.
Summer temperatures regularly reach extreme highs, requiring significant energy costs for residential air conditioning.
High car dependency and limited public transit options lead to congested arterial roadways during peak commuting hours.
Local unemployment rates historically track higher than the national baseline due to seasonal agricultural shifts.
Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley basin can experience periodic degradation during peak summer and wildfire seasons.
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.
Modesto
#546California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$66,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
64.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
71
Business
67
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
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