Long Beach, CA vs Monterey, 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.
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 28.4 min). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $69,471). Long Beach leads in cost of living index (142 vs 192).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.3 (#1863) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 466,742 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $860,012 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $69,471 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 10.5 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →