Oklahoma City OK vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Oklahoma City
688,693
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 5.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $1,006,261 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 47.6% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.9 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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