Oceanside CA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 126,103 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.2 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 5.3% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.8% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $55,902 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $33,290 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 15.6% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 29.1% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 39.7% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.1% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.0 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
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