Oceanside CA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 15.4% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.7% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.3% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 20.8% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $74,925 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 13.4% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 46.8% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 29.5% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.2% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.3% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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