Columbus OH 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Long Beach
458,491
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 458,491 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 53.3% | 41.6% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 34.8% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $862,599 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 40.9% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 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, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 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
23.4 min
Columbus +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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