Oxnard, CA vs Riverside, CA
Riverside is moderately more affordable than Oxnard, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Oxnard scores 150 compared to 137 for Riverside, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oxnard can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Oxnard is $1,962/month compared to $1,812/month in Riverside — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Riverside is more affordable at $542,100 median vs $617,800.
Median household income in Oxnard is $93,372 compared to $88,575 in Riverside (+5.4%). The higher salaries in Oxnard partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oxnard spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 24.5% in Riverside.
Climate-wise, Riverside is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 61.2°F in Oxnard. Oxnard receives more rainfall at 12.9" per year compared to 9.4" in Riverside.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)