City Comparison

Oxnard vs Reno

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Oxnard

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

Reno

Nevada
111
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,648
Median Income

The Verdict

38.7%

Living in Reno costs 38.7% less than Oxnard. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Oxnard, you would need $54,058 in Reno.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
253
Oxnard
133
Reno
Groceries
112
Oxnard
102
Reno
Utilities
107
Oxnard
93
Reno
Transportation
135
Oxnard
105
Reno
Healthcare
113
Oxnard
96
Reno

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Oxnard has the same purchasing power as $54,058 in Reno.

Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $104,054 in Oxnard.

Living in Oxnard vs Reno

Housing Costs

Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $450,000. The $203,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Oxnard compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Oxnard and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $372 in Reno. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Oxnard and 96 in Reno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $96,200 in Oxnard and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $55,539 respectively. Oxnard residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,245/month to housing in Oxnard vs $1,438/month in Reno. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 120 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reno is 38.7% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Oxnard has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,058 in Reno, based on the cost of living difference.
Oxnard's housing index is 253 with median homes at $653,000, while Reno's is 133 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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