City Comparison

Oxnard vs Santa Fe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Oxnard

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

Santa Fe

New Mexico
117
Above Average
$480,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,982
Median Income

The Verdict

31.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 31.6%, with Santa Fe being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Oxnard has equivalent purchasing power to $56,981 in Santa Fe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
253
Oxnard
153
Santa Fe
Groceries
112
Oxnard
103
Santa Fe
Utilities
107
Oxnard
96
Santa Fe
Transportation
135
Oxnard
99
Santa Fe
Healthcare
113
Oxnard
95
Santa Fe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Oxnard has the same purchasing power as $56,981 in Santa Fe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $98,718 in Oxnard.

Living in Oxnard vs Santa Fe

Housing Costs

Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $480,000. The $173,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,244 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 Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Oxnard and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Oxnard vs $489/month in Santa Fe. Santa Fe offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Oxnard and 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $384 in Santa Fe. 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 95 in Santa Fe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $52,976 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 $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, 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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Fe is 31.6% more affordable overall with an index of 117 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Oxnard has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,981 in Santa Fe, based on the cost of living difference.
Oxnard's housing index is 253 with median homes at $653,000, while Santa Fe's is 153 with median homes at $480,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases