Medford vs Oxnard
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Oxnard
The Verdict
Medford is 31.2% less expensive than Oxnard overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $108,962 in Oxnard to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Medford has the same purchasing power as $108,962 in Oxnard.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $51,623 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Oxnard
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $653,000. The $247,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,056 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $532/month in Oxnard. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $428 in Oxnard. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford 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 $73,200 in Medford and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $62,468 respectively. Medford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/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 114 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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