Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 172,542 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 44.0% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 39.8% | 4.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $877,452 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 31.8 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. 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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