Firstly why Oxnard, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Oxnard
- State: California
- Population: 208,881 people
- Oxnard’s quick summary would be Celebrated for its beautiful beaches, vibrant strawberry fields, and the Channel Islands Harbor.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 10,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 13,000 annually
- Net Migration: -3000 less people annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 3,000
- Number of Homeless people: 900
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its agriculture and coastal lifestyle attracting families and seasonal workers
Perk #1: Oxnard Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 51%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $64,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Oxnard is $67,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $3000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Oxnard’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 150 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,562
- Property Tax %: 1.04%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,800
- Rent for an average house: $2,900
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Oxnard
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Oxnard, Port-Hueneme, Ventura, Channel-Islands, and probably could include Camarillo
- Avg. Age of Homes in Oxnard: 54 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.7%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Oxnard’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Oxnard are Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Healthcare
- Oxnard Job Scene: steady job market primarily in manufacturing and agriculture
- The General Tech Scene: emerging tech landscape focused on environmental and food-tech initiatives , ,
- Oxnard Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Oxnard: 9.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 170 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 12
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Oxnard
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $160 on average per person
- Freeway Access: U.S. Route 101 runs through Oxnard toward Los Angeles
- Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: delays near the waterfront
- Transportation Score: 39 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Oxnard: 76,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.4
- No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Oxnard: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
- Local Airport: Oxnard
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Oxnard’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
- General Weather in Oxnard is best described as has mild winters with cool temperatures and warm dry summers with occasional fog
- Winter Weather in Oxnard i’d describe as cool with frequent rain
- Spring Weather in Oxnard can be described as mild and coastal
- Summer’s in Oxnard are mostly mild and coastal
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Oxnard is usually mild and breezy
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 21 days in summer
- Days in a row in Oxnard below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality sustained by ocean breezes
- Oxnard Winter Air generally good air quality with minimal pollution concerns
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Oxnard Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Oxnard 4
- While the number of trade schools inside Oxnards’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Oxnard Public Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Oxnard Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Oxnard only Doctors is about 130
- Local Hospitals here is 5
- Full-time Oxnard only Police Officers is about 300
- Crime Rate Index: 45/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Oxnard’s Monthly utility bill average is $190
- Oxnard’s Monthly Gym Membership: $60
- Oxnard’s Water Quality Score: 72
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Oxnard
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 8 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: coastal city with a strong agricultural presence and beaches
- You might enjoy live music at local theater venues
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Oxnard offers casual beach bars and eateries with a relaxed atmosphere for seaside evenings out
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Oxnard
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers seafood restaurants and casual dining options
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Oxnard
- The Popular Sports Team is Oxnard High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Oxnard can be described as diverse city with a strong focus on community and social justice
- Oxnard’s Longer standing religious establishment is Christian Outreach Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Oxnard Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Oxnard has 55 Parks?
- Oxnard Beach Park is Oxnard’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Oxnard Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, kayaking, and picnicking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Oxnard Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Oxnard can be described as moderate coastal city with a balance of agriculture and tourism
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Oxnard beach activities local festivals family picnics
- The Cities people commute to from Oxnard are Camarillo 12 miles away Ventura 12 miles away Port-Hueneme 9 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Oxnard or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: delays near the waterfront. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Oxnard’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Oxnard is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Oxnard are Camarillo 12 miles away Ventura 12 miles away Port-Hueneme 9 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 45 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Oxnard has 0 days in a row below freezing and 21 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Oxnard people have an average (positive or negative) $3000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
900 homeless people living in Oxnard. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general diverse city with a strong focus on community and social justice could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Oxnard.
Retiree & Senior Life in Oxnard
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for tax incentives aiding in property rental situations
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Pacifica Senior Living
- Oxnard Senior Center hosts various social programs and health-focused activities for seniors
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Oxnard, California?
If Oxnard, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Oxnard, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!