Albany GA vs Long Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Albany
18.9%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 18.9% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 76.3% | 11.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $862,599 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 40.9% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 64.7°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA