City Comparison
Oxnard vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oxnard scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oxnard
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Oxnard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oxnard's average rent is
22% higher than San Bernardino's.
| Metric | Oxnard | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,198 | $1,803 | +22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,098 | $2,803 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oxnard offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Bernardino delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oxnard is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Oxnard | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,242 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $96,212 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Bernardino runs warmer on average — a 6.2°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oxnard | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.60°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 71.70°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 48.30°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 22.10 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 328 |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to San Bernardino.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oxnard | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Bernardino is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, San Bernardino 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 | Oxnard | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,197 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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%.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
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