Long Beach CA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 91,535 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.9 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 23.2% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 9.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 16.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $865,610 | Long Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 28.8% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 29.0% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 20.7% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 65.6°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 13.6 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while long Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $862,599. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana 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%.
Compare More Cities
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA