Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Long Beach
458,491
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 458,491 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.8 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.9% | 41.6% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 11.9% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $42,370 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 34.8% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $862,599 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 40.9% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 64.7°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.6 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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