Oxnard, CA vs Santa Monica, CA

The cost of living difference between Oxnard, CA and Santa Monica, CA is dramatic. Oxnard is 42.2% cheaper than Santa Monica, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oxnard has a cost index of 150 while Santa Monica sits at 259, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Oxnard is $1,962/month compared to $2,338/month in Santa Monica — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oxnard is more affordable at $617,800 median vs $1,810,200.

Median household income in Oxnard is $93,372 compared to $109,739 in Santa Monica (-14.9%). Santa Monica does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Oxnard spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Santa Monica.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (61.2°F vs 62.8°F). Santa Monica receives more rainfall at 13.5" per year compared to 12.9" in Oxnard.