Oxnard CA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oxnard
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Oxnard
36.9%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Oxnard
1.8%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Oxnard
6.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Oxnard
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 133,473 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.5 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 33.8% | 27.4% | Oxnard + |
| White | 36.9% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 77.0% | 2.4% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Oxnard
$30,413
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Oxnard
6.6%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Oxnard
10.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oxnard
19.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,372 | $78,429 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,413 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oxnard
$765,773
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Oxnard
53.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,773 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oxnard
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oxnard
17.9%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
19.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.0% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.3% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
61.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oxnard
15.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oxnard
75.0%
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oxnard + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Oxnard, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.1 min | 27.5 min | Oxnard + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oxnard. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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%.
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