Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fall River, MA
VS
Oceanside, CA
🏆 Oceanside leads 13 of 23 categories
Fall River
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,734
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
93,638
Oceanside
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,701 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
173,722 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fall River, MA
Pros
Rent averages $1058/mo less ($1,020 vs $2,078)
Homes cost $317k less ($328,100 vs $644,600)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Oceanside
Smaller class sizes — 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Oceanside by $33,967/yr
Violent crime (742.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.9%)
Oceanside, CA
Pros
Households earn $33,967 more per year on average
38% less violent crime than Fall River
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 33.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 39°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 83°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,078/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $644,600
Violent crime (458.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fall River
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Fall River
Median Home Value
$317k less
$328,100 vs $644,600
Fall River
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 82.5°F vs 76.5°F
Oceanside
Median Income
$33,967
$86,701 vs $52,734/yr
Oceanside
Violent Crime
38% lower
458.7 vs 742.9 per 100k
Oceanside
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fall River, MA | Oceanside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $644,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $2,078⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,734 | $86,701 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 13.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 144⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) ✓ Better | C (76) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 27.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 15.8% | 33.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 75.7% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fall River | Scholarship Prep - Oceanside District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F | 66.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.5°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.2" | 11.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,638 | 173,722 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.2 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.9% | 57.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.5% | 21.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 15.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall River's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Oceanside's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Fall River is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Oceanside leads 13 of 23 categories. Fall River wins 10 and Oceanside wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fall River to Oceanside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,100 vs $644,600 median home), income ($52,734 vs $86,701), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fall River, MA and Oceanside, CA are about 2,569 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.