Oceanside CA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 19.0% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 51.8% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.8% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 26.2% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $71,302 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 15.9% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 50.2% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 31.9% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.9% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 73.4°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 46.3 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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