Oceanside CA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 94,723 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 10.3% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 4.2% | 0.8% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.5% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 11.3% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 28.5% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy 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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