Long Beach CA vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Madison
11.6%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 275,568 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 11.6% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 11.9% | 7.1% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 8.0% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 9.3% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $76,983 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 16.2% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 32.7% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.8% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 37.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA