Oceanside, CA vs Santa Monica, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Oceanside
60
#1941 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 39). Oceanside leads in cost of living index (161 vs 273). Oceanside leads in crime level (12.6 vs 21.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60 (#1941) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 170,020 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $874,097 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $86,701 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 29.8 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 12.6 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 161 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+32.9 |
D-
60 Score
Oceanside, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$874,097
Population
170,020
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Oceanside, CA →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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