Oxnard vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Oxnard
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 49.5% less expensive than Oxnard overall. A household earning $75,000 in Oxnard would need approximately $50,162 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $50,162 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $112,136 in Oxnard.
Living in Oxnard vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $419,000. The $234,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Oxnard compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 112 in Oxnard and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Oxnard vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Oxnard and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Oxnard and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,245/month to housing in Oxnard vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 148 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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