Moving from Oxnard, CA to Murrieta, CA
It is a 144 mi drive, roughly 2h 55m, between Oxnard, CA and Murrieta, 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.
144 mi Β· 2h 55m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 15, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | San Buenaventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Oxnard and Murrieta 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
Homes in Murrieta run about 3.7% cheaper β ZHVI $767,291 β $688,358 (2026-03).
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 15.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.2Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 34 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 3.15 |
Households in Murrieta earn about 3.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- 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
Is Murrieta more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 3.7% lower than Oxnard (106.442 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 144 mi and the route typically takes 2h 55m via US 101 and I 15. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 17.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 144 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 10.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Murrieta, CA.