CostIndexUSA

Oxnard, CA vs Salinas, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Oxnard
110.5
overall index
$2,975/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Salinas is slightly cheaper than Oxnard — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Oxnard, you would need $78,900 in Salinas. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.8%
Oxnard
171.1
Salinas
145.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Oxnard
105.2
Salinas
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Oxnard
105.3
Salinas
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Oxnard
95.3
Salinas
95.3
Utilities+0.9%
Oxnard
152.9
Salinas
154.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salinas, CA
$78,900
$1,100 less needed in Salinas

Formula: salary × (109 ÷ 110.5) = salary × 0.9864. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Oxnard, CA

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

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Oxnard has 14.8% lower housing costs compared to Salinas.

Income & Job Market

Oxnard, CA

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

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Oxnard, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.