Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Oxnard, CA
It is a 321 mi drive, roughly 6h 24m, between Santa Clara, 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.
321 mi Β· 6h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154, CR G4 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Maria, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Oxnard | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.423 vs 110.534 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,782,192 to $767,291 moving to Oxnard.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 12.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clara (60.7Β°F) and Oxnard (61.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.88 |
Oxnard households earn about 0.1% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $93,372 on 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 the job market in Oxnard compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 321 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 Santa Clara vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 56.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Oxnard, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 321 mi and the route typically takes 6h 24m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 0.1% higher than Santa Clara (110.534 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Oxnard, CA.