Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Oxnard
6.6%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 60.1% | 36.9% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.8% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 6.6% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Oxnard
$93,372
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Oxnard
10.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $93,372 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $30,413 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.6% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 10.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 19.6% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $765,773 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 53.9% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Oxnard
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Oxnard
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 28.4% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.9% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 19.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.0% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 61.2°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.1 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Oxnard has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA