City Comparison

Madison vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

Oxnard

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

The Verdict

31.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 31.2%, with Madison being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $108,962 in Oxnard.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
253
Oxnard
Groceries
101
Madison
112
Oxnard
Utilities
97
Madison
107
Oxnard
Transportation
103
Madison
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
105
Madison
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $108,962 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $51,623 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $653,000. The $313,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison vs $532/month in Oxnard. Madison offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Madison and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $428 in Oxnard. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 and $62,468 respectively. Madison residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 138 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison is 31.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,962 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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