Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Oceanside
7.4%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 172,542 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 38.0% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 6.7% | 4.2% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 7.4% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 38.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Oceanside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $877,452 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Oceanside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Oceanside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.5% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 20.7 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 31.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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