Oxnard CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
Salem
12.2%
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
Oxnard +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 176,666 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 33.8% | 12.2% | Oxnard + |
| White | 36.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.6% | Oxnard + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 3.5% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 77.0% | 23.4% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,372 | $71,900 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,413 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.8% | 14.7% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,773 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
2388
Oxnard +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Oxnard + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 41.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.3 in | 39.7 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oxnard
75.0%
Oxnard +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oxnard + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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