Long Beach CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 220,482 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.3 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 12.2% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 11.9% | 10.5% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 8.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 13.1% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $83,857 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 33.5% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 37.3% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.2 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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