Long Beach CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 457,066 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.4 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 9.1% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 7.2% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 8.9% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 36.5% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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