Oceanside CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 71,124 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 8.3% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 32.4% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.6% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 11.8% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $55,269 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $38,786 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.6% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 23.2% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 33.1% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 46.0% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 41.0% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.0% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.4% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 49.3 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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%.
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