Long Beach CA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 67,231 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.5 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 41.6% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 11.9% | 2.2% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 7.1% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Pasadena
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Long Beach +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $1,215,642 | Long Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Pasadena
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Pasadena
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 67.0°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 21.2 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while long Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $862,599. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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