Long Beach, California
Aquatic playground of Southern California
U.S. News (2025)
#87 Best Places to Live
Conde Nast Traveler (2024)
#12 Best Beach Cities
WhereAtHome Score
62.3
D-out of 100
Overview
Long Beach combines urban character with a beach lifestyle, offering more affordability than LA proper. The city has a thriving arts district, major port operations, and nautical heritage. Diverse neighborhoods range from beach communities to revitalized downtown areas.
Key Highlights
- Miles of beaches and waterfront
- Queen Mary historic ship
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Active port and maritime economy
- Strong LGBTQ+ community
- More affordable than LA
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Los Angeles County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
82°F
Winter Low
48°F
Annual Rainfall
12"
Sunny Days
281
Amenities & Infrastructure
170+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
6 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
2 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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