Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Oxnard
6.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 201,014 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.9% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,413 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 19.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $765,773 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.9% | Oxnard + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.2% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oxnard + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.1 min | Oxnard + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Oxnard has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, 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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