Oceanside CA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 28,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 42.3 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 6.8% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 4.2% | 3.1% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.0% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 4.7% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 10.3% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 57.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 38.6% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Oceanside +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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%.
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