Long Beach CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 14.6% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 36.1% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 7.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 15.2% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $60,698 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $37,669 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.4% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 22.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 34.6% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 48.5 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 34.5 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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