Long Beach CA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 102,558 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 7.2% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 11.9% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 2.7% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 22.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $58,568 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $31,987 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 17.4% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 25.0% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 35.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.8% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 28.9 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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