Long Beach CA vs Springfield MA — 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%

Springfield, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 154,751

  • Median HH Income$51,339
  • Median Home Price$298,985
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+19.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Springfield
19.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Springfield
17.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Springfield
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Long Beach & Springfield