Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Oxnard to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, 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 Phoenix ($81,332 income, $1,582 rent, $420,700 home value). Oxnard’s slightly shorter commute (27 vs 28 minutes) does not offset its significantly higher housing burden relative to income, while Phoenix offers lower housing costs despite a modest state income tax assumption of 2.50%. The trade-off centers on whether Oxnard’s income advantage justifies its premium housing costs when compared to Phoenix’s more affordable housing and longer commute.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → OxnardMoving from Oxnard to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$450/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$5,400/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
66/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$14,984after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $5,400 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Oxnard gross rent$2,032
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Oxnard | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 200,928 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $96,212 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,032 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $652,700 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Oxnard and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 comparison
- Median gross rent and home value
- One-way commute time estimates
- State income tax assumption in calculator
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs relative to income compare between Oxnard and Phoenix?
Oxnard’s median gross rent represents about 25% of median household income, while Phoenix’s is about 23%; home values in Oxnard are roughly 55% higher than in Phoenix despite only an 18% income advantage.
Does Oxnard’s shorter commute outweigh its higher housing costs?
The one-minute commute advantage in Oxnard is minimal compared to its substantially higher housing expenses, making affordability a more significant factor in the overall cost-of-living trade-off.
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.