Long Beach CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Salem
12.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 176,666 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 12.2% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 3.5% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 23.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $71,900 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $36,477 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 31.4% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Salem
11.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 41.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.7 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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