City Comparison
San Francisco vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Francisco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Francisco
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
45% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Francisco's average rent is
104% higher than Oxnard's.
| Metric | San Francisco | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,475 | $2,198 | +104% |
| Groceries | $550 | $400 | +38% |
| Utilities | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Transport | $105 | $120 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $310 | $250 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $5,650 | $3,098 | +82% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 54% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Francisco delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Francisco is estimated at
$85,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | San Francisco | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,200 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,643 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $140,970 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Oxnard comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | San Francisco | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 46.10°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 21.00 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 325 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to San Francisco.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Francisco | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 87.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 4.1x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, San Francisco is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Francisco | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 826,079 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
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.
San Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
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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