Long Beach CA vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 135,983 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 20.1% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 36.5% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 4.4% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $70,663 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $26,955 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 11.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 20.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 12.4% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 32.2% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.9% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 41.6 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Visalia 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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