Oceanside CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.2% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 4.2% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 13.1% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $83,857 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 12.0% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 33.5% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 56.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 37.3% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.7% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.2 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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