Oceanside CA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 26,509 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.7 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 7.1% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 4.2% | 3.6% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.2% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 3.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 36.4% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 34.0 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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