Oxnard CA vs San Jose 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%

San Jose, CA

California · Population: 990,054

  • Median HH Income$141,565
  • Median Home Price$1,452,609
  • Unemployment4.7%
  • Bachelor's+46.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Oxnard
201,014
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Oxnard +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
San Jose
2.9%
San Jose +
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
San Jose
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Oxnard +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +

Safety

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

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
San Jose
30.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while oxnard offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,773. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Oxnard & San Jose