Long Beach CA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 7.4% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 25.0% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.7% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 10.2% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $51,211 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $32,314 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.3% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 22.5% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 28.2% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 42.1% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.7% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 19.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 54.9 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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