Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Oxnard, CA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Oxnard

California
159

Houston is 45% cheaper than Oxnard.

$1,313/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$1,962/mo ↑ 49%
$62,894/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$93,372/yr ↑ 48%
$253,400 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$617,800 ↑ 144%
$1,316/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,976/mo ↑ 50%
2,300,419
Population
201,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Oxnard, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 159 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $649/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $7,788/year.

Median household income is $30,478/year higher in Oxnard. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $617,800 in Oxnard.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Oxnard — common questions

Is Houston or Oxnard cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 159 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Oxnard?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Oxnard it's $1,962/month — a difference of $649/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Oxnard?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $93,372 in Oxnard. Median household income is $30,478/year higher in Oxnard.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Oxnard?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Oxnard has a cost index of 159 with rent of $1,962/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Oxnard details →

More Comparisons

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