Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Oxnard to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Oxnard has a higher median household income ($96,212) and higher housing costs (median gross rent $2,032, median home value $652,700) compared to Houston ($64,813 income, $1,361 rent, $277,800 home value). Oxnard’s shorter commute (27 minutes vs. 30 minutes) partially offsets its cost burden, while Houston benefits from a 0.00% modeled state income tax in the calculator, increasing disposable income despite lower wages. The trade-off centers on whether Oxnard’s income premium justifies its elevated housing expenses relative to Houston’s affordability and tax advantage.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → OxnardMoving from Oxnard to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$671/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$8,052/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTOXN → HOU
70/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$20,436after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $8,052 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Oxnard household income$96,212
Houston household income$64,813
Oxnard gross rent$2,032
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Oxnard | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 200,928 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $96,212 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $2,032 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $652,700 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Oxnard and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income disparity
- Housing cost burden comparison
- Commute time difference
- Modeled state income tax impact
What each city wins
Oxnard
Median rent is 25.3% of median monthly income.. Watch higher home values reflect long-term equity but increase entry barriers..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How does Oxnard’s income compare to Houston’s when accounting for housing costs?
Oxnard’s median household income is 48% higher than Houston’s, but median gross rent is 49% higher and home values are 135% greater, indicating housing costs rise faster than income in Oxnard relative to Houston.
What role does the modeled state income tax play in the comparison between the two cities?
The calculator applies a 0.00% state income tax for Houston as a modeling assumption, which increases take-home pay relative to Oxnard where no state tax rate is applied, partially offsetting Houston’s lower median income in affordability assessments.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.