City Comparison
Oxnard vs Anaheim
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anaheim scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oxnard
Anaheim
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxnard is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oxnard's average rent is
12% lower than Anaheim's.
| Metric | Oxnard | Anaheim | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,198 | $2,487 | -12% |
| Groceries | $400 | $411 | -3% |
| Utilities | $130 | $262 | -50% |
| Transport | $120 | $514 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $139 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $3,098 | $3,813 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oxnard offers 66% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oxnard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oxnard is estimated at
$55,000 vs $59,000 in Anaheim.
| Metric | Oxnard | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $39,182 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $59,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,242 idx | 26,297 idx |
| Household Income | $96,212 | $95,227 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oxnard runs warmer on average — a 60.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oxnard comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oxnard sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oxnard | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 71.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | % | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oxnard | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 67.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Oxnard.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oxnard | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,197 | 346,597 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | $22.8B |
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%.
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most 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
Anaheim
#597California, USA
41.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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