Modesto vs Oxnard
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Oxnard
The Verdict
Living in Modesto costs 27.3% less than Oxnard. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $103,125 in Oxnard.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Modesto has the same purchasing power as $103,125 in Oxnard.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $54,545 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Oxnard
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $653,000. The $273,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $532/month in Oxnard. Modesto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Modesto and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $428 in Oxnard. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto 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 $55,138 in Modesto and $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 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 $1,287/month to housing in Modesto vs $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/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 132 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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