Long Beach CA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 260,646 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 43.1 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 10.1% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 11.9% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 3.1% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 9.3% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $73,118 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 32.7% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.6% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg 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
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