Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Oxnard, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Oxnard
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,409 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
202,279
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $205k less ($381,800 vs $587,200)
Rent averages $410/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,907)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Oxnard
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Oxnard by $17,034/yr
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.9%)
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Oxnard, CA
Pros
9% less violent crime than Modesto
Households earn $17,034 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 95°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 56°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
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$205k less
$381,800 vs $587,200
Modesto
Summer Heat
22.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 72.9°F
Oxnard
Median Income
$17,034
$90,409 vs $73,375/yr
Oxnard
Violent Crime
9% lower
596.4 vs 655.7 per 100k
Oxnard
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oxnard, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $587,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,907⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $90,409 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 5.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | C- (68) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 19.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% ✓ Higher | 19.2% |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% ✓ Higher | 69.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Oxnard |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 65.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 72.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 12.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 202,279 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 33.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 54.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 26.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Oxnard's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 13 and Oxnard wins 9. 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 Modesto to Oxnard or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $587,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $90,409), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Oxnard, CA are about 258 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.