City Comparison

Albany vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albany

New York
99
Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,098
Median Income

Oxnard

California
154
Very Expensive
$653,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$96,200
Median Income

The Verdict

35.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 35.7%, with Albany being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $116,667 in Oxnard.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Albany
253
Oxnard
Groceries
102
Albany
112
Oxnard
Utilities
107
Albany
107
Oxnard
Transportation
101
Albany
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
100
Albany
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $116,667 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $48,214 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $653,000. The $433,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $532/month in Oxnard. Albany offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $428 in Oxnard. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $62,468 respectively. Oxnard residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 160 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Albany is 35.7% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $116,667 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Albany's housing index is 93 with median homes at $220,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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