Long Beach CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 209,720 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 8.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 41.5% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 3.2% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 20.0% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $46,628 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $30,451 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.9% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 26.6% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 29.9% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 37.2% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 38.0% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.3% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.6% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 34.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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