Oceanside CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 52.9% | 39.2% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $88,575 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $33,716 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.0% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 12.5% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 25.7% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 56.3% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 36.7% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.5% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.6% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 66.8°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, 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
Oceanside +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 34.1 min | Oceanside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside 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 Riverside 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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