Oceanside CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oceanside
172,542
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 52.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 4.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 6.9% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 24.9% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $67,544 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $35,825 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 19.8% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 34.1% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 42.4% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 35.3% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.5% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 48.1 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Worcester 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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