El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 172,542 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 20.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 3.6% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 38.5% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $877,452 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Oceanside
16.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 20.7 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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