Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.1 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 67.2% | 52.9% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $877,452 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 58.5% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Oceanside
26.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Oceanside
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Oceanside
10.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 26.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.5% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 55.3°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 31.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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