Long Beach CA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO

Missouri · Population: 169,432

  • Median HH Income$45,984
  • Median Home Price$245,279
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+30.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Springfield
30.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
Springfield
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Springfield
17.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Springfield
45.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Springfield
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Springfield
19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Long Beach & Springfield