Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Oxnard, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories
Oxnard
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,409 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
202,279 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Oxnard, CA
Pros
Households earn $38,886 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $587,200
Higher rents — median is $1,907/mo
Violent crime (596.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $425k less ($162,000 vs $587,200)
Rent averages $990/mo less ($917 vs $1,907)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Oxnard
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Median income trails Oxnard by $38,886/yr
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Oxnard
Median Income
$38,886
$90,409 vs $51,523/yr
Oxnard
Violent Crime
4% lower
596.4 vs 620.4 per 100k
Oxnard
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$425k less
$162,000 vs $587,200
Roanoke
Summer Heat
15.2°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 72.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.5⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $587,200⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,907⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,409 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 89 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (68) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.2% | 28.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.7% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Oxnard | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.9°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 72.9°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.9" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 202,279 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxnard's cost of living index is 113.5 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories. Oxnard wins 11 and Roanoke wins 12. 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 Oxnard to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($587,200 vs $162,000 median home), income ($90,409 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Oxnard, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,196 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.