Oceanside CA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 52.9% | 36.8% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 29.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $83,753 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $42,300 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.2% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 14.4% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 51.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, 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 +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 30.0% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.0% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 61.0°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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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