Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 172,542 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.1 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 69.7% | 52.9% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.2% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $877,452 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 58.5% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.9% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 20.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 31.8 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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