Long Beach CA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 124,865 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.4 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 4.8% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 2.1% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 9.5% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 28.8% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.6% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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