Oceanside CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 13.6% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 4.2% | 3.1% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.3% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 17.2% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $78,156 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $42,839 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.6% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 11.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 31.5% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 49.9% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 36.2% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.1% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 41.6 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Vancouver 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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