Oceanside CA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 52.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 37.5% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.1% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.6% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 28.6% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. 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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