2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Oxnard

California (CA)

Best for: Coastal families and agricultural or defense workers who prioritize ocean access and mild weather

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability77.3/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population199,651

Median Home$740,000

Median Rent$2,300

Median Household Income$90,000

Cost of Living~145.0 (US=100; 2024 city/metro estimate)

Average Commute26.0 min

Unemployment~4.7% metro (2026)

Metro AreaOxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

77.3overall

Housing & Financial Reality20.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living74.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability68.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity82.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness87.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place98.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion66.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape99.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging89.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment98.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture82.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity79.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Most daily trips are workable, but peak periods and major corridors can slow cross-city travel.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. Major natural areas, trails, water or mountain recreation are close enough to shape regular weekend life.

WalkabilityAbout 57/100 citywide Walk Score. Several districts are comfortable on foot, but citywide convenience still varies by neighborhood.

Airport AccessGood regional access. Santa Barbara, Hollywood Burbank and LAX provide commercial options, though none is immediately in the city.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Outdoor access is one of the city’s defining advantages, with major trails, water, mountains, coast or regional recreation close at hand.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospital systems and specialty providers offer practical access to routine, emergency and advanced care.

Air QualityGenerally favorable by large-city standards, though wildfire smoke, traffic emissions or marine conditions can create episodic issues.

Third Places / Social LifeVery good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, community events and local districts provide regular gathering places.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Oxnard is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #131 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest livability advantages are beach access; mild climate; harbor; agriculture; ventura county jobs, while the clearest tradeoffs are housing cost; limited high-wage job depth; traffic; coastal flood risk. The profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE