Long Beach CA vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 293,109 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 6.6% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 11.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 3.4% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 5.1% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $55,279 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $38,947 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 19.8% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 36.8% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.9% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.8% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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