Oceanside CA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 10.7% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 48.7% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 4.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.3% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 17.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $57,673 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $35,074 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 17.9% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 54.6% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 31.9% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 63.8°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 58.4 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 23.2 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 $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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