Long Beach CA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 203,888 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 15.4% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 11.9% | 2.7% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 5.3% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 20.8% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $74,925 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 29.5% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.2% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.3% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 16.1 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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