Oceanside CA vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.7 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 52.9% | 40.5% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 15.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.6% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Oceanside +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $1,369,171 | Oceanside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.6% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 55.3°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 20.7 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 33.9 min | Oceanside + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while oceanside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $877,452. On public safety, San Francisco 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 San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oceanside, CALos Angeles, CA vs Oceanside, CAChicago, IL vs Oceanside, CAHouston, TX vs Oceanside, CAOceanside, CA vs Phoenix, AZOceanside, CA vs Philadelphia, PA