New Orleans LA 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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 Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 172,542 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 31.6% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 55.2% | 4.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Oceanside
34.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $877,452 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Oceanside
503
Oceanside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Oceanside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Oceanside
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 31.8 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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