Long Beach, CA vs Santa Barbara, 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 Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 28.4 min). Long Beach leads in cost of living index (142 vs 225). Santa Barbara leads in median household income ($98,346 vs $69,471).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.3 (#1863) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 466,742 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $860,012 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $69,471 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 17.8 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+26.7 |
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
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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