Moving from Palmdale, CA to Oxnard, CA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Oxnard, CA covers 85 mi and about 1h 54m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
85 mi Β· 1h 54m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 126, CA 14, US 6 HIST |
| 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
| Palmdale | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Palmdale (113.566) and Oxnard (110.534) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Oxnard: 2.7% above Palmdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 12.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.88 |
Median household income in Oxnard is 2.7% above Palmdale ($81,151 β $93,372, ACS 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 household income compare in Palmdale vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 15.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 2.7% lower than Palmdale (110.534 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Oxnard, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 85 mi and the route typically takes 1h 54m via CA 126 and CA 14. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Oxnard compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 53.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 85 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Oxnard, CA.