City Comparison
Oakland vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oakland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakland
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Oakland.
| Metric | Oakland | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $2,198 | +9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $130 | +38% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,285 | $3,098 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakland offers 51% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakland is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | Oakland | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $97,910 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,405 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $101,600 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Oxnard comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Oakland | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.70°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 43.50°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 311 | 325 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Oakland.
Oakland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oakland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oakland | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakland is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, Oakland 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 | Oakland | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,838 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakland
Advantages
Median household income stands at $101,600 per US Census Bureau data, reflecting strong earning potential.
Abundant cultural amenities and recreational spaces, including the iconic Lake Merritt park system.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity with rich neighborhood communities.
Robust public transit infrastructure including direct BART lines connecting across the Bay Area.
Proximity to major Bay Area employment centers, universities, and natural wilderness areas.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 16% above the national average per federal economic data.
Elevated property and violent crime rates in specific commercial and residential zones.
High average rent prices ($2,395 per month via Zillow) strain housing affordability.
Steep state income taxes and local levies add to the financial burden of residents.
Traffic congestion during peak commute hours along major interstate corridors.
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.
Oakland
#568California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$97,910
Cost Index
116
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
311/yr
Avg Temp
58.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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 Oakland and Oxnard.
Open Cost Calculator