City Comparison
San Diego vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Diego scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Diego
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in San Diego.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Diego's average rent is
39% higher than Oxnard's.
| Metric | San Diego | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,046 | $2,198 | +39% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $4,156 | $3,098 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Diego offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Diego delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Diego is estimated at
$72,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | San Diego | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $79,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,246 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $108,077 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
| Metric | San Diego | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 74.60°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 17.40 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 325 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
San Diego scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Diego leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Diego | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Diego is the larger city
— approximately 7.1x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, San Diego is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Diego has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Diego | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,406,106 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | — |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $266.9B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Diego
Advantages
Year-round mild climate featuring 322 sunny days per year and proximity to 70 miles of coastline.
World-class healthcare infrastructure led by top-ranked institutions like UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health.
Thriving innovation economy anchored by biotechnology, life sciences, and defense industries.
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, including Balboa Park, Torrey Pines, and extensive coastal access.
High educational attainment levels and a culturally diverse, energetic population.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and soaring housing prices that run significantly above the national average.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major freeways like I-5 and I-805.
Elevated gasoline and utility prices compared to national norms.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets and downtown corridors require standard vigilance.
Limited geographical expansion space leading to fierce competition in the real estate market.
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 Diego
#536California, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,046
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
85
Business
78
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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