Oxnard vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Oxnard
Scranton
The Verdict
Living in Scranton costs 71.1% less than Oxnard. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Oxnard, you would need $43,831 in Scranton.
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 $43,831 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $128,333 in Oxnard.
Living in Oxnard vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $195,000. The $458,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Oxnard compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 112 in Oxnard and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Oxnard vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Oxnard and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Oxnard and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $55,000 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 188 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases