Oceanside CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Portland
12.4%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.6 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.4% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 11.3% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $88,792 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 12.8% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 52.8% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 28.5% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.3% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 78.3 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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