Long Beach CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 316,241 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 22.4% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 39.2% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 6.0% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 8.3% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $33,716 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 25.7% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 36.7% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.6% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 66.8°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, 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
Long Beach +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 34.1 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside 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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