Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 67.2% | 36.9% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 1.8% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,413 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.6% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 19.6% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $765,773 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 53.9% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Oxnard
2388
Oxnard +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Oxnard + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Oxnard
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Oxnard
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Oxnard
12.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 28.4% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.8% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.2% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.0% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 61.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.1 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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