Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Oceanside
7.4%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 172,542 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 38.1 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 20.9% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 2.0% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 7.4% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Oceanside
$93,724
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Oceanside
$43,094
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Oceanside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Oceanside
34.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $93,724 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $43,094 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 34.3% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Oceanside
$877,452
Oceanside +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $877,452 | Oceanside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Oceanside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Oceanside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Oceanside
26.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Oceanside
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Oceanside
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Oceanside
10.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 26.1% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.4% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.9% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 9.7% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.5% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.6% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 20.7 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.8 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while oceanside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $877,452. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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