Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 39.3% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $862,599 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 40.9% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 64.7°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus 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%.
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