Living in Ventura, CA
Ventura is the 295th-largest city in the US, home to about 110,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (110.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 109,914-0.8% since 2020
- Median home value
- $827,3008.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,198/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $103,069median, per year
- Price level
- 110.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 66° / 73°lows 46° / 61°
- Average commute
- 24 min15% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Ventura County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 36 ft
Metro area: Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Cost of living in Ventura
The median home in Ventura is worth $827,300 and the median household earns $103,069 a year, so a typical home costs about 8.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,198 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area at 110.5, with housing at 171.1 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $82,900 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Ventura?
Ventura weather
Average highs run from 66°F in January to 73°F in July, and January nights average 46°F. It gets 13 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Ventura
People and work
The median resident is 41.3 years old, and 42% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 56% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 15% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 41.3483rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 42%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 56%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,02521.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.9% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 10.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1973median year
Who moves to Ventura, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Diego (San Diego County), Riverside (Riverside County) and San Bernardino (San Bernardino County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to San Diego (San Diego County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Ventura County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, wildfire, earthquake, landslide.
Home prices
-1.3% in a year
Up 29% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
52% good days
8 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Ventura
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Moorpark College 24 miles
- Ventura College 2 miles
- Santa Barbara City College 27 miles
- Oxnard College 9 miles
- California Lutheran University 22 miles
- Westmont College 26 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Ventura
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Municipal Airport SBA | 35 mi | 696,396 |
| Hollywood Burbank Airport BUR | 51 mi | 3,383,237 |
| Los Angeles International Airport LAX | 53 mi | 37,760,834 |
| Long Beach Airport LGB | 70 mi | 2,031,810 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Ventura
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorpark College | 24 mi | 12,082 | n/a | n/a |
| Ventura College | 2 mi | 10,150 | n/a | 41% |
| Oxnard College | 9 mi | 6,240 | n/a | 39% |
| California State University-Channel Islands | 14 mi | 5,013 | $8,534 | 55% |
| California Lutheran University | 22 mi | 2,296 | $26,445 | 69% |
| Thomas Aquinas College | 15 mi | 566 | $30,972 | 83% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Ventura
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Oxnard Ventura Co Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Ventura.
Wildfire smoke in Ventura
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Ventura on about 35 days a year, including about 8 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Ventura
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 41,858 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Ventura
Downtown Ventura is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura Unified School District | K to 12 | 14,379 | 27 | 24.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Oxnard Union High School District (16,039 students), Oxnard Elementary School District (13,003 students), Hueneme Elementary School District (6,685 students), Pleasant Valley Elementary School District (5,835 students), Rio Elementary School District (5,251 students), Santa Paula Unified School District (4,575 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Ventura's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Ventura's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- San Leandro, CA78% matchCompare
- Hayward, CA76% matchCompare
- Oakland, CA73% matchCompare
- San Jose, CA66% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Ventura
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Ventura
- Mount Waterman 76 miles
- Buckhorn Ski Club 77 miles
- Kratka Ridge 78 miles
- Mountain High 89 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Ventura
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 66°F.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 8.0 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 11% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
Ventura report card from locals
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Cities near Ventura
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxnard, CA | 7 mi | 199,651 | $652,700 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 24 mi | 122,230 | $991,600 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Simi Valley, CA | 27 mi | 124,861 | $823,800 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 27 mi | 86,422 | $1,570,800 | 108.8 | Compare |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 41 mi | 228,430 | $784,700 | 113.6 | Compare |
| Santa Monica, CA | 47 mi | 90,082 | $1,755,500 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Ventura with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Ventura a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare Ventura side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Ventura?
The Census Bureau estimates Ventura had 109,914 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 110,746 in April 2020 (-0.8%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Ventura?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $82,900 in the Ventura area. The median household here earns $103,069.
When is the best time to visit Ventura?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 73°F and January 66°F for daytime highs.
What county is Ventura in?
Ventura is in Ventura County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Ventura in?
Ventura is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Ventura?
About 36 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Ventura. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Oxnard Ventura Co Airport, CA station; snowfall from Ojai, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.