CityCompare

Long Beach CA vs West Palm Beach 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Long Beach
41.6%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
13.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +

Which City is Right for You?

Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach 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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About Long Beach & West Palm Beach

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