Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 201,014 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 41.5% | 36.9% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $30,413 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 19.6% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $765,773 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 53.9% | Oxnard + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.9% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.2% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 61.2°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.1 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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