Long Beach CA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 44,998 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 57.8 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 17.2% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 11.9% | 5.4% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 4.5% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 24.3% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Palmdale
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $71,979 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.2% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Palmdale
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Palmdale
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, 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%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 30.3% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Palmdale 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