Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Oxnard
201,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Oxnard
36.9%
Oxnard +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 201,014 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.9% | Oxnard + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Oxnard
$30,413
Oxnard +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Oxnard
19.6%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,413 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 19.6% | Oxnard + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $765,773 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.9% | Oxnard + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Oxnard
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.8% | Oxnard + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.9% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 19.2% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oxnard + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.1 min | Oxnard + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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