Oceanside CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Waco
9.8%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 141,925 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 9.8% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 4.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.0% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 29.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $51,468 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $28,819 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 24.0% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 28.6% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 48.9% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 36.8% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 20.4% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.4% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.1% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 66.6°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 36.4 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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%.
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