City Comparison

Champaign vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Oxnard

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

The Verdict

47.4%

Champaign is 47.4% less expensive than Oxnard overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $142,593 in Oxnard to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
253
Oxnard
Groceries
98
Champaign
112
Oxnard
Utilities
106
Champaign
107
Oxnard
Transportation
99
Champaign
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
90
Champaign
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $142,593 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $39,448 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $653,000. The $438,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $532/month in Oxnard. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $428 in Oxnard. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $62,468 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. 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 170 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 47.4% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $142,593 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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