Columbia MO vs Oceanside CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 74.3% | 52.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Oceanside
34.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 34.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $877,452 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Oceanside
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Oceanside
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 31.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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