Oxnard vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Oxnard
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 85.5% less than Oxnard. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Oxnard, you would need $40,422 in Waco.
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 $40,422 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $139,157 in Oxnard.
Living in Oxnard vs Waco
Housing Costs
Oxnard's housing index of 253 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $653,000 vs $230,000. The $423,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,925/mo in Oxnard compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 112 in Oxnard and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Oxnard vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $972/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Oxnard and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Oxnard vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Oxnard and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,468 and $59,639 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 Waco. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 190 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases