Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Oxnard, CA
It is a 101 mi drive, roughly 2h 4m, between Costa Mesa, CA and Oxnard, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
101 mi Β· 2h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Oxnard | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa and Oxnard sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $767,291 in Oxnard, a 2.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 12.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 61.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.88 |
Households in Oxnard earn about 2.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oxnard MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Oxnard sees only 12.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Oxnard compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 2.7% lower than Costa Mesa (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 101 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Oxnard, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 101 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m via I 405 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 45.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Oxnard, CA.