Moving from Salinas, CA to Oxnard, CA
It is a 256 mi drive, roughly 5h 11m, between Salinas, 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.
256 mi Β· 5h 11m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 154 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, San Buenaventura, Santa Maria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salinas | Oxnard | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 109.042 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.157 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 145.669 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Salinas to Oxnard β $747,758 vs $767,291 (2026-03).
YoY change: Salinas -1.1%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salinas | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.6" | 12.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALINAS MUNICIPAL AP, CA US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salinas | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $89,150 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.88 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 far is Oxnard, CA from Salinas, CA?
The driving distance is 256 mi and the route typically takes 5h 11m via US 101 and CA 154. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Salinas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 1.4% higher than Salinas (110.534 vs 109.042, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Salinas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $747,758 in Salinas β a 2.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oxnard compare to Salinas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $44,570 in the Salinas MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 181,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salinas vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $89,150 in Salinas β a 4.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salinas to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 256 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 Salinas.
City profiles: Salinas, CA Β· Oxnard, CA.