Oceanside CA vs Stockton 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 52.9% | 26.6% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $76,851 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $31,279 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.0% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 15.4% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 19.1% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 53.2% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, 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%
Oceanside +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 31.8% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.5% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.1% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.0% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 62.2°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, 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 +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 33.2 min | Oceanside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Stockton 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 Stockton 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