Oxnard CA vs Santa Ana 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%

Santa Ana, CA

California · Population: 91,535

  • Median HH Income$109,739
  • Median Home Price$865,610
  • Unemployment6.1%
  • Bachelor's+68.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
28.8%

Safety

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

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
Santa Ana
28.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while oxnard offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,773. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana 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

About Oxnard & Santa Ana