Long Beach, CA vs San Rafael, 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
San Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
San Rafael leads in median household income ($113,839 vs $69,471). Long Beach leads in cost of living index (142 vs 213). Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | San Rafael, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.3 (#1863) | 58.5 (#1954) |
| Population | 466,742 | 59,555 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $860,012 | $1,332,023 |
| Median Household Income | $69,471 | $113,839 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 53 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 15.3 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+63.9 |
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 →
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →
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