Oxnard CA vs Palmdale CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 44,998 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 57.8 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 33.8% | 17.2% | Oxnard + |
| White | 36.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 4.5% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 77.0% | 24.3% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,372 | $71,979 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,413 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.2% | Oxnard + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.8% | 13.7% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,773 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
Palmdale
12.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 30.3% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.6% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 63.5°F | Oxnard + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oxnard
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.1 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Oxnard has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Palmdale 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oxnard, CALos Angeles, CA vs Oxnard, CAChicago, IL vs Oxnard, CAHouston, TX vs Oxnard, CAOxnard, CA vs Phoenix, AZOxnard, CA vs Philadelphia, PA