Long Beach CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 13.6% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 11.9% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 4.7% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 12.7% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $82,424 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 30.9% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 46.2 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Long Beach 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%.
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