Long Beach CA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 393,389 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 19.0% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 11.9% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 4.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 26.2% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $71,302 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 15.9% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 31.9% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 73.4°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 46.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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%.
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