Albuquerque NM vs Oxnard CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 201,014 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 55.3% | 36.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,413 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 19.6% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $765,773 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 53.9% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Oxnard
503
Oxnard +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Oxnard
2388
Oxnard +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Oxnard + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Oxnard + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.9% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 61.2°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.1 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Oxnard is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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