Long Beach CA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 126,103 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.2 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 5.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 11.9% | 9.7% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 16.9% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $55,902 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $33,290 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 15.6% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 29.1% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 39.7% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.0 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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