Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
458,491
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 458,491 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.8 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 72.3% | 41.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $42,370 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $862,599 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 40.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 64.7°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.6 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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