Oceanside CA vs Ontario CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 138,723 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 52.9% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.6% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Ontario
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Ontario
9.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 9.2% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $671,948 | Ontario + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 58.1% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Ontario
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Ontario
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, 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
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 33.6% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.8% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.0% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 65.5°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, 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
Oceanside
31.8 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario 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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