Long Beach, CA vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $69,471). Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 57). Long Beach leads in cost of living index (142 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.3 (#1863) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 466,742 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $860,012 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $69,471 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →