Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 172,542 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $877,452 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 20.7 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 31.8 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
Compare More Cities
Las Vegas, NV vs New York, NYLas Vegas, NV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZLas Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA