Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 72.9% | 36.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,413 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $765,773 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.9% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 61.2°F | Oxnard + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Oxnard has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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