Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Oceanside, CA
VS
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
🏆 San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 12 of 22 categories
Oceanside
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,701
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
173,722 ✓ Larger
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,036 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
93 ✓ Safer
Population
110,358
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Oceanside, CA
Pros
Homes cost $69k less ($644,600 vs $714,000)
2% cheaper overall cost of living than San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Cons
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)
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.9%)
Median income trails San Buenaventura (Ventura) by $9,335/yr
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
Pros
23% less violent crime than Oceanside
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.9%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Households earn $9,335 more per year on average
More college-educated — 40.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $136/mo less ($1,942 vs $2,078)
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Pricier housing — median home is $714,000
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Oceanside
Key Differences at a Glance
Oceanside
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 111.5 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Oceanside
Median Home Value
$69k less
$644,600 vs $714,000
Oceanside
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 76.5°F vs 72.9°F
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Median Income
$9,335
$96,036 vs $86,701/yr
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Violent Crime
23% lower
354.5 vs 458.7 per 100k
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.9% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $644,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $714,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,078⚠ High | $1,942⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,701 | $96,036 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.8 min⚠ High | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% ✓ Higher | 13.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 104⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 93 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 104⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (76) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 27.3:1 | 24.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% | 40.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.7% | 91.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Scholarship Prep - Oceanside District | Ventura Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.7°F ✓ Warmer | 65.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.5°F ✓ Warmer | 72.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.9" ✓ Drier | 16.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 173,722 ✓ Larger | 110,358 |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% ✓ Higher | 56.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.3% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% | 18.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Oceanside's cost of living index is 111.5 vs San Buenaventura (Ventura)'s 113.5 (US average = 100).
Oceanside is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 12 of 22 categories. Oceanside wins 10 and San Buenaventura (Ventura) wins 12. 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 Oceanside to San Buenaventura (Ventura) or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($644,600 vs $714,000 median home), income ($86,701 vs $96,036), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Oceanside, CA and San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA are about 133 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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