City Comparison
Stockton vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stockton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stockton
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stockton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Oxnard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stockton's average rent is
24% lower than Oxnard's.
| Metric | Stockton | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,677 | $2,198 | -24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $130 | +38% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,627 | $3,098 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oxnard offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stockton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stockton is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | Stockton | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,048 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $79,907 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.7°F of each other.
| Metric | Stockton | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 91.80°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 41.70°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | 325 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Stockton.
Stockton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stockton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stockton | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stockton is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, Stockton 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 | Stockton | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 324,597 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stockton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are substantially more affordable than nearby coastal California metropolitan regions.
Strategic location along major logistics corridors, rail lines, and the Port of Stockton supports robust employment in supply chain and distribution.
Rich cultural and ethnic diversity reflected in local community life, festivals, and dining options.
Presence of reputable higher education institutions like the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College.
Proximity to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta provides extensive outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, both property and violent, historically track above national medians across several city sectors.
Local unemployment rates frequently run higher than the national and statewide averages.
High car dependency and regional commuter traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5.
Air quality in the Central Valley basin can experience seasonal challenges during summer months and wildfire seasons.
Certain localized health professional shortages exist within San Joaquin County medical sectors.
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.
Stockton
#564California, USA
47.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,677
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
68
Business
66
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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