Long Beach CA vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 100,713 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 41.6% | 24.0% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.2% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Norwalk
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $31,989 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 21.3% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $765,319 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Norwalk
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Norwalk
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.4% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, Norwalk is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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