Oceanside CA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Salem
12.2%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.2% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.6% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.5% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 23.4% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $71,900 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $36,477 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 14.7% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 31.4% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 55.7% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 41.4% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.6% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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