Oceanside CA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 44,998 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 57.8 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 17.2% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.5% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 24.3% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $71,979 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.2% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 13.7% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, 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 +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 30.3% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.8% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.6% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 63.5°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Palmdale 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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