Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
7.4%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.1 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 20.9% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 7.4% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 38.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Oceanside
$93,724
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Oceanside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $93,724 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $877,452 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 58.5% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Oceanside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Oceanside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Oceanside
10.6%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.9% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.5% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.6% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Oceanside
31.8 min
Oceanside +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 31.8 min | Oceanside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. 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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