Oceanside, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Oceanside.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Oceanside?
For relocators asking how much Oceanside costs: the housing index sits at 198 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $702,000 and rents near $2,207. Local median income is about $93,724 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 28 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 402 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 198U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $702,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,207U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $93,724U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 28 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 402per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 76°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Oceanside compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 170,941City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $93,724Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 198ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year98% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $702,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year131% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,207City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year64% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 28 min12% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 44Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 402annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)31% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2109.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)32% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 76°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 41°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 11.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals64% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 311As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Oceanside grew 1.7% from 168,079 in 2010 to 170,941 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Oceanside expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Oceanside runs 98 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 198 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $702,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,207 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Oceanside?
Budget first around $2,207/month rent or $702,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $702,000
- Median rent $2,207/month
- Median household income $93,724
What is the job market like in Oceanside?
Labor-market context for Oceanside: unemployment 4.7% and median income $93,724. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $93,724
How long is the typical commute in Oceanside?
Plan on roughly 28 minutes each way in Oceanside. Walk Score estimates around 44 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 28 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 44/100
Is Oceanside safer than similar U.S. cities?
Oceanside's FBI-derived violent rate (~402/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 402 per 100k
- Property 2109.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Oceanside?
Oceanside's climate profile: 76°F summer peaks, 41°F winter mornings, 11.9" annual rainfall, and 311 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 76°F
- Winter low 41°F
- 11.9 in rain · 311 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Oceanside, California will find roughly 170,941 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $93,724; our housing-derived cost index is about 198 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $2,207 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 311 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 28 minutes one-way, with walkability near 44/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 402 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Oceanside is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Oceanside with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Oceanside city, 1600000US0653322) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Diego County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00053121 OCEANSIDE MUNI AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10