Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Oxnard, CA
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Oxnard
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,409 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
202,279 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
49% less violent crime than Oxnard
Homes cost $171k less ($416,500 vs $587,200)
Rent averages $435/mo less ($1,472 vs $1,907)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.7%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Oxnard
Cons
Median income trails Oxnard by $11,863/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Oxnard, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 32°F
Households earn $11,863 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $587,200
Violent crime (596.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,907/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
49% lower
302.5 vs 596.4 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Median Home Value
$171k less
$416,500 vs $587,200
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Ann Arbor
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 72.9°F
Oxnard
Median Income
$11,863
$90,409 vs $78,546/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Oxnard, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $587,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,907⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $90,409 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 5.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C- (68) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 19.2% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 69.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Oxnard |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 65.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 72.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 12.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 202,279 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 33.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 54.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 26.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Oxnard's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 15 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 15 and Oxnard wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Oxnard or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $587,200 median home), income ($78,546 vs $90,409), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Oxnard, CA are about 1,989 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.