Long Beach CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 71,124 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.0 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 8.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 32.4% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 11.9% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.6% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 11.8% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $55,269 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $38,786 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 23.2% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 33.1% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 41.0% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.0% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.4% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.4% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 49.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Long Beach, CA vs New York, NYLong Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Long Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZLong Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA