Oceanside CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 14.6% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 36.1% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 15.2% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $60,698 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $37,669 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 22.0% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 52.3% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 57.1°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 48.5 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Oceanside +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 34.5 min | Oceanside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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