Long Beach, CA vs Santa Monica, 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
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Long Beach leads in cost of living index (142 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in median household income ($106,797 vs $69,471). Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 67).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.3 (#1863) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 466,742 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $860,012 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $69,471 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 83 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 21.3 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+32.9 |
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
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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