Moving from Oxnard, CA to Palmdale, CA
Moving from Oxnard, CA to Palmdale, 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
| Oxnard | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Palmdale and Oxnard is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Palmdale is 2.7% below Oxnard β $767,291 vs $501,257 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 7.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Oxnard (61.2Β°F) and Palmdale (63.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 2.7% below Oxnard ($93,372 β $81,151, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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
Is Palmdale more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 2.7% higher than Oxnard (113.566 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Palmdale?
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.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 13.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 34.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Oxnard, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Palmdale, CA.