Denver and Long Beach differ in several significant aspects, providing contrasting experiences for both residents and tourists due to their unique geographic locations and socio-economic statuses. While Denver sits high in the Rocky Mountains with numerous outdoor activities and a burgeoning economy, Long Beach's coastal location lends itself to different industries and a distinct lifestyle. The following comparative analysis takes into consideration categories including crime/safety, weather, cost of living, and more to provide a comprehensive understanding of life in both cities.
Distance between
Denver, CO and
Long Beach, CA : 835.7 miles
Denver's population is larger by 56%. Its population has grown by 156,827 people (28.3%) since 2000. The population of Long Beach has decreased by 5,460 people (1.2%) during that time.
Denver's crime rate tends to be higher than Long Beach's. While Denver's relatively greater overall population might contribute to this, the city's increase in crime has outpaced its population growth. However, both cities are investing in community-focused policing initiatives to bring rates down. Tourists are generally safe in both cities, but should be aware of petty theft in busy locations.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,991 registered sex offenders living in Denver and 834 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Denver is 348 to 1; the ratio in Long Beach is 564 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Denver than in Long Beach.
Cost of Living
Living in Long Beach is generally more expensive than Denver. This is largely due to housing costs, which can be significant in California due to the state's competitive real estate market. However, it's worth noting that incomes tend to be higher in Long Beach to offset these higher living costs.
Income Tax
California's state income tax is much higher than Colorado’s, ranging from 1% to 13.3% based on income, while Colorado has a flat rate of 4.63%.
Property Tax
Denver's property tax rates are typically lower than Long Beach's. However, this can be offset by Colorado's higher home prices.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is higher in Long Beach than Denver. California's combined state and local sales taxes average 8.68%, whereas Colorado's average is 7.52%.
Income
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Estimated median household income
$81,630
$73,905
Estimated per capita income
$52,690
$37,217
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
111.3
142
If you make $50,000 in Denver, you will have to make $63,792 in Long Beach to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Denver is located in the Rocky Mountains, with terrain ideal for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Long Beach is a coastal city with sandy beaches that are perfect for surfing, sailing, and beach volleyball.
Denver and Long Beach both have strong education systems, with multiple nationally-recognized schools. Denver is home to higher education institutions like the University of Denver and Colorado State University, whereas Long Beach hosts California State University, Long Beach, and Long Beach City College.
Denver's economy is diverse, with sectors like technology, healthcare, and tourism contributing significantly. Conversely, Long Beach's economy is centered around its port, one of the busiest in the world, which drives industries like shipping, manufacturing, and tourism.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in Denver include the University of Colorado system and HealthONE Corporation. In Long Beach, the largest employers include the Long Beach Unified School District and The Boeing Company.
There were 1,550 building permits issued in Denver in 2012 (847 more than in 2011) compared to 304 building permits issued in Long Beach in 2012 (238 more than in 2011).
In Denver (Denver County), 73.9% voted for Democrats and 24.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Long Beach (Los Angeles County), 69.7% voted for Democrats and 27.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
2020
80.1%
71.0%
18.3%
26.9%
1.6%
2.1%
2016
74.2%
72.0%
19.0%
22.5%
6.8%
5.5%
2012
73.9%
69.7%
24.3%
27.8%
1.7%
2.4%
2008
75.8%
69.2%
23.2%
28.8%
1.0%
1.9%
2004
69.7%
63.3%
29.3%
35.7%
0.9%
1.0%
2000
62.0%
63.6%
30.9%
32.4%
7.0%
4.0%
1996
61.8%
59.3%
30.0%
31.0%
8.2%
9.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
CATHOLIC CHURCH
26.6%
36.1%
8.7%
4.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
2.1%
0.5%
4.3%
3.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.1%
0.4%
3.2%
1.4%
SALVATION ARMY
1.1%
0.1%
0.7%
0.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.9%
1.0%
6.8%
9.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.5%
3.0%
2.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.5%
0.7%
0.9%
1.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.2%
2.7%
1.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.2%
2.3%
1.6%
Weather
Denver boasts more sunny days than Long Beach but experiences all four seasons, with cold, snowy winters contrasting its warm, dry summers. Long Beach, being located on the Pacific coast, claims a Mediterranean-like climate, with gentle, temperate weather throughout most of the year.
Weather and climate
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Temperature - Average
49.5°F
65.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
50.6%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
20%
27%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
79%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
35%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
17 in
13.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
114 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.2%
26.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
75.6%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
10%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
85%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
64%
63%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
6.1 mph
Average climate in Denver, Colorado
Average climate in Long Beach, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
Denver
Long Beach
2018
100
124
0.50
0.37
25.4
17.2
27.9
22.1
N/A
0.008
29.2
27.5
8.6
13.5
0.7
0.7
2017
95
122
0.49
0.36
25.9
18.1
27.6
23.2
N/A
0.007
22.0
26.7
8.4
14.5
0.8
0.8
2016
90
115
0.53
0.36
27.7
18.5
27.2
21.9
N/A
0.007
22.6
24.1
8.7
11.6
1.0
0.9
2015
101
111
0.53
0.38
27.8
19.9
25.2
22.5
N/A
0.005
21.0
25.0
10.4
13.9
1.0
0.9
2014
94
127
0.53
0.50
25.4
20.3
24.6
22.0
N/A
0.007
25.1
26.7
10.1
14.3
1.3
1.3
2013
85
126
0.45
0.48
21.9
20.0
24.0
24.7
N/A
0.005
24.4
32.3
N/A
14.6
1.5
1.0
2012
91
132
0.33
0.48
18.9
19.3
26.2
24.4
N/A
0.004
24.9
30.8
N/A
14.1
1.4
0.6
2011
91
119
0.34
0.43
18.1
20.2
25.8
23.4
N/A
0.006
23.7
28.4
N/A
15.6
1.6
1.2
2010
82
115
0.43
0.38
16.3
20.8
23.6
22.7
N/A
0.011
26.4
24.1
N/A
11.9
1.0
0.7
2009
79
132
0.41
0.50
14.1
21.0
23.1
22.0
0.005
0.008
22.2
27.7
N/A
13.1
1.3
1.1
2008
85
124
0.43
0.53
17.3
20.8
26.0
23.2
0.008
0.008
25.2
27.2
N/A
21.6
1.6
1.0
2007
96
109
0.37
0.60
20.6
20.3
21.9
21.1
0.007
0.010
30.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
1.4
2006
89
119
0.51
0.76
19.0
21.4
22.1
19.9
0.008
0.005
28.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.7
2005
86
108
0.57
0.74
21.3
24.3
20.9
20.5
0.068
0.011
30.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2.7
2004
82
125
0.60
0.56
21.2
28.0
19.2
22.9
0.012
0.012
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
2.0
2003
106
130
0.60
0.83
21.2
28.1
20.8
22.4
0.015
0.032
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.1
2002
86
120
0.65
0.90
19.2
29.6
20.4
22.2
0.014
0.011
35.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
2.8
2001
95
124
0.86
0.81
23.6
30.3
18.6
21.5
0.012
0.011
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.6
3.3
2000
93
142
0.81
0.71
13.4
31.5
19.2
19.6
0.013
0.018
12.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
129.5%
18.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
811.7%
6,875.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
10%
57%
Transportation
Both cities offer extensive mass transit networks. Denver's Regional Transportation District provides buses, light rail, and commuter rail, while Long Beach Transit offers buses and a free downtown shuttle service. Both cities also have bike-share programs and are working towards becoming more pedestrian-friendly.
Transport
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
602
312
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
28
29
Means of transportation to work
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Bicycle
1.5%
0.5%
Bus
2.6%
3.3%
Carpooled
8.8%
9.8%
Car alone
81.1%
81.8%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.2%
Railroad
1.2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0.1%
Subway
0.1%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2.8%
2.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Average
29.4 min
30.7 min
Other means
24.2 min
28.5 min
Public transportation
38 min
46.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
90.6%
89.7%
In 2 person carpool
7.3%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.3%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is generally more expensive in Long Beach due to California's competitive market. In Denver, housing is more affordable, though prices have been rising alongside the city's growing popularity.
Neighborhoods
Denver has a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, such as the historic and artsy Capitol Hill and the hip Five Points. Long Beach also offers diverse neighborhoods, from the upscale Belmont Shore to the funky downtown district.
Houses and residents
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Houses
351,829
179,856
Average household size (people)
2.2
2.8
Median year apartment built
1981
1964
Median year house/condo built
1966
1954
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.3 years
15.7 years
Houses occupied
326,634 (92.8%)
172,599 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
164,429 (50.3%)
69,470 (40.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
162,205 (49.7%)
103,129 (59.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,674
$1,057
Median monthly housing costs
$1,626
$1,692
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$970,375
$520,992
Estimated median house or condo value
$541,500
$693,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
4.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.5
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.4
5.5
Median house price - detached houses
$690,450
$900,658
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$668,727
$823,515
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$410,273
$495,928
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$487,647
$488,399
Median house price - mobile homes
$174,140
$333,777
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$568,100
$634,684
Median house price - All housing units
$644,007
$805,766
Median house age
47
62
Renting percentage
50%
58.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,294.3
3,565.7
House value disparities
26.4%
21.3%
Household income disparities
44%
44.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$120,615
$116,421
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$77,011
$79,392
Housing units without a mortgage
2,112 (1.7%)
394 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
9,615 (7.6%)
3,069 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
123,690 (98.3%)
49,321 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
273 (0.2%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,819 (10.2%)
3,709 (7.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
7
15
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.3%
2.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.8%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Denver
Long Beach
One, detached
42.9%
40.2%
One, attached
8.3%
4.9%
Two
2.1%
5.3%
3 or 4
3.1%
8.8%
5 to 9
3.6%
10.4%
10 to 19
7.0%
10.8%
20 to 49
10.4%
8.0%
50 or more
22.0%
10.6%
Mobile homes
0.4%
0.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
24,661
18,532
State government workers
15,204
6,550
Unpaid family workers
763
178
Industries and Occupations
In Denver, occupations within the diverse sectors of healthcare, tech, and tourism dominate. In Long Beach, shipping, healthcare, and hospitality are significant employers, reflective of its port-centric economy.
Both cities offer excellent healthcare facilities. Denver's healthcare strengths lie in access, prevention, and treatment, with nationally-ranked facilities like UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Long Beach has quality hospitals like the Long Beach Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Denver
Long Beach
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both Denver and Long Beach have robust infrastructures, offering reliable utilities, developed transport networks, and solid digital connectivity. Denver's transport network is extensive due to its size and terrain, while Long Beach benefits from several major freeways and its port facilities.
Infrastructure
Type
Denver
Long Beach
Hospitals
16
17
TV stations
17
5
Arenas or stadiums
4
2
Bank branches located here
205
67
Bank institutions located here
43
18
Main business address for public companies
58
11
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
8
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Denver
Long Beach
1999
2,727
1,159
2000
2,698
710
2001
1,996
677
2002
1,591
708
2003
2,472
1,861
2004
3,789
2,162
2005
5,168
3,065
2006
5,506
3,591
2007
3,599
2,287
2008
1,902
887
2009
768
475
Culture and Food
Denver's culture and food scene is influenced by its western heritage and diverse population, with a range of cuisine and numerous microbreweries. Long Beach's seaside locale influences its cultural scene, with seafood and multicultural cuisine, plus many events and festivals.
Sports Teams
For sports fans, both cities offer options. Denver is home to the Broncos (NFL), Nuggets (NBA), Avalanche (NHL), and Rockies (MLB). Long Beach doesn't have its own major league teams, but is in close proximity to Los Angeles, home to the Lakers (NBA), Dodgers (MLB), Rams (NFL), and Kings (NHL).
Denver, CO
Long Beach, CA
