Oceanside CA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 119,508 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 40.2 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 52.9% | 44.0% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.5% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 24.6% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $69,261 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 14.8% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 50.2% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 29.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.7% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 75.4°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 62.3 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach 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%.
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