Oxnard vs Santa Rosa

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Oxnard has the same purchasing power as $74,026 in Santa Rosa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Rosa equals $75,987 in Oxnard.

Living in Oxnard vs Santa Rosa

Housing Costs

Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Santa Rosa's 233, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $720,000. The $67,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,356 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Oxnard compared to $2,100/mo in Santa Rosa, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Oxnard and 107 in Santa Rosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Oxnard vs $508/month in Santa Rosa. 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 107 in Oxnard and 135 in Santa Rosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $540 in Santa Rosa. 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 112 in Santa Rosa. 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 $96,200 in Oxnard and $94,300 in Santa Rosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $62,039 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 $2,200/month in Santa Rosa. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Rosa, median rent of $2,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases