salaryRent is higher than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $97,720 a year. That is $47 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 364 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ventura?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ventura
| Size | Ventura | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,797 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,008 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,438 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,753 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,238 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ventura overall?
Everyday prices in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ventura
Life in Ventura
What jobs pay in Ventura
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $185,520 | 15.8% |
| Pharmacist | $160,430 | 18.3% |
| Software Developer | $159,430 | 18.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $154,760 | 18.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $148,800 | 19.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $131,160 | 22.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $126,530 | 23.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $119,970 | 24.4% |
| Police Officer | $119,640 | 24.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,820 | 26.9% |
| Operations Manager | $103,870 | 28.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,420 | 29.5% |
| Accountant | $90,340 | 32.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,100 | 36.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,020 | 37.1% |
| Firefighter | $77,400 | 37.9% |
| Carpenter | $74,060 | 39.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $69,710 | 42.1% |
| Electrician | $64,840 | 45.2% |
| Plumber | $62,300 | 47.1% |
| Truck Driver | $59,120 | 49.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $50,680 | 57.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,190 | 59.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,800 | 62.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,060 | 69.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,920 | 69.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,880 | 79.5% |
| Cashier | $36,150 | 81.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,910 | 84.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ventura?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,297 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $827,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $82,730 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ventura, CA?
Renting in Ventura costs a median of about $2,443 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Ventura?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $97,720 a year, or $47 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ventura cheap or expensive?
Ventura is rated OK: rent takes 26.4% of the typical household income of $111,160. It ranks 364th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ventura?
The median homeowner in Ventura pays $4,631 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Ventura more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ventura?
The median home value in Ventura is $827,300, about 7.4 times the typical yearly household income.
109,857 people live in Ventura. Numbers are typical (middle) values.