CostIndexUSA

Merced, CA vs Oxnard, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Merced
98.3
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
CA
Oxnard
110.5
overall index
$2,975/mo rent

Merced is moderately cheaper than Oxnard — 12.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Merced, you would need $89,900 in Oxnard. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+117.7%
Merced
78.6
Oxnard
171.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Merced
105.2
Oxnard
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Merced
105.3
Oxnard
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Merced
95.3
Oxnard
95.3
Utilities3.4%
Merced
158.3
Oxnard
152.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Merced to see what you'd need to earn in Oxnard to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Oxnard, CA
$89,900
$9,900 more needed in Oxnard

Formula: salary × (110.5 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 1.1241. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Merced, CA

Median Home Price
$410,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Oxnard, CA

Median Home Price
$862,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,975
Housing Index
171.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1×

Oxnard has 117.7% higher housing costs compared to Merced.

Income & Job Market

Merced, CA

Median Household Income
$57,600
Per Capita Income
$32,800
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
Population
86,333
Top Industries
AgricultureEducationHealthcareGovernmentLogistics

Oxnard, CA

Median Household Income
$107,700
Per Capita Income
$61,400
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
202,063
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingMilitaryRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Merced, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Oxnard, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.