Long Beach CA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 303,620 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 9.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 11.9% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 5.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 4.2% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $64,137 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 19.5% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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