Oxnard CA vs Pasadena 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%

Pasadena, CA

California · Population: 67,231

  • Median HH Income$220,408
  • Median Home Price$1,215,642
  • Unemployment3.7%
  • Bachelor's+82.4%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
Pasadena
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
Pasadena
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Oxnard +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
503
Pasadena
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
2388
Pasadena
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
Pasadena
21.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oxnard
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +

Which City is Right for You?

Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while oxnard offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,773. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Oxnard & Pasadena