Des Moines, WA vs Long Beach, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 41). Des Moines leads in median household income ($81,362 vs $69,471). Des Moines leads in cost of living index (133 vs 142).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Moines, WA | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.6 (#1684) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 31,988 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $607,792 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $81,362 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 8.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+32.9 |
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →
D-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →
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