City Comparison
San Jose vs Oxnard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Jose scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Jose
Oxnard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in San Jose.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Jose's average rent is
54% higher than Oxnard's.
| Metric | San Jose | Oxnard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,395 | $2,198 | +54% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $195 | $130 | +50% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $250 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $4,480 | $3,098 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 77% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Jose delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Jose is estimated at
$95,000 vs $55,000 in Oxnard.
| Metric | San Jose | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $115,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,714 idx | 49,242 idx |
| Household Income | $146,427 | $96,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Jose | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | 60.60°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 71.70°F |
| Winter Low | 43.20°F | 48.30°F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | 22.10 in |
| Snowfall | 1.20 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | 325 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oxnard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to San Jose.
San Jose scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Jose leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Jose | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose is the larger city
— approximately 5x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, San Jose is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Jose has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Jose | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 989,814 | 199,197 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial 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.
San Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
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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