New Braunfels TX 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 84.3% | 52.9% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Oceanside
8.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $877,452 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 58.5% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 31.8 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New Braunfels, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Braunfels, TXChicago, IL vs New Braunfels, TXHouston, TX vs New Braunfels, TXNew Braunfels, TX vs Phoenix, AZNew Braunfels, TX vs Philadelphia, PA