Long Beach and Anaheim, both located within California's Los Angeles county, offer residents and tourists alike a variety of lifestyle options. This comparison between the two cities will cover a broad range of categories, from crime to culture, to help you make an educated decision about which city is more aligned with your personal needs and lifestyle. Though both cities offer unique experiences and amenities, they each have distinct aspects that set them apart and make them attractive in their own way.
Distance between
Long Beach, CA and
Anaheim, CA : 15.6 miles
Long Beach's population is larger by 32%. Its population has decreased by 5,460 people (1.2%) since 2000. The population of Anaheim has grown by 17,926 people (5.5%) during that time.
According to data, Long Beach tends to have a slightly higher crime rate compared to cities nationally, with Anaheim generally depicting a more favorable crime rate in comparison. However, both cities have a variety of community safety programs and initiatives aimed at curbing crime and ensuring the welfare of residents. It is recommended for prospective residents and visitors to research the specific neighborhoods they're considering for a more dedicated picture of safety.
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 834 registered sex offenders living in Long Beach and 389 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Long Beach is 564 to 1; the ratio in Anaheim is 902 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Long Beach than in Anaheim.
Cost of Living
Both cities have higher costs of living compared to the national average, typical of many California cities. Anaheim is generally more affordable in terms of housing costs compared to Long Beach, though daily expenses such as groceries and transportation may slightly vary depending on location and personal choices.
Income Tax
Income tax is at the state level in California. The tax is progressive, with rates ranging from 1% to 13.3%, depending on income level. This applies equally to residents of both Long Beach and Anaheim.
Property Tax
Property taxes in California are relatively low compared to the rest of the US, given the high property values. Both Long Beach and Anaheim generally have similar rates due to state legislation, with minor variances depending on local measures.
Sales Tax
City and State sales tax are the same for both cities, with the current base sales tax for California at 7.25%. Both Long Beach and Anaheim impose an additional tax, making their total sales tax roughly 8.75%.
Income
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Estimated median household income
$73,905
$81,747
Estimated per capita income
$37,217
$32,827
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
142
88.5
If you make $50,000 in Anaheim, you will have to make $80,226 in Long Beach to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Long Beach, as the name suggests, has an extensive coastal line, providing beach access and maritime activities. Anaheim is more inland and offers a slightly different variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking trails.
Both Anaheim and Long Beach boast a good mix of public and private schools and are home to several well-regarded universities and colleges. Long Beach is known for its highly-rated school district and is also home to the well-respected California State University, Long Beach. Anaheim contains the Anaheim Union High School District and North Orange County Community College District.
Long Beach has a diverse economy with strong sectors in education, professional services, and healthcare. Similarly, Anaheim also has a diverse economy, but with a more dominant presence in tourism due to the Disneyland Resort, contributing massively to the city's job market and economy.
Biggest Employers
In Long Beach, some of the biggest employers include the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Boeing. For Anaheim, the Walt Disney Company, Kaiser Permanente, and Anaheim Regional Medical Center are among the largest employers.
There were 304 building permits issued in Long Beach in 2012 (238 more than in 2011) compared to 85 building permits issued in Anaheim in 2012 (44 more than in 2011).
In Long Beach (Los Angeles County), 69.7% voted for Democrats and 27.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Anaheim (Orange County), 45.8% voted for Democrats and 52.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
2020
71.0%
53.6%
26.9%
44.6%
2.1%
1.8%
2016
72.0%
50.9%
22.5%
42.4%
5.5%
6.7%
2012
69.7%
45.8%
27.8%
52.0%
2.4%
2.3%
2008
69.2%
47.8%
28.8%
50.3%
1.9%
1.9%
2004
63.3%
39.3%
35.7%
60.2%
1.0%
0.5%
2000
63.6%
40.4%
32.4%
55.9%
4.0%
3.7%
1996
59.3%
37.9%
31.0%
51.7%
9.7%
10.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
CATHOLIC CHURCH
36.1%
26.5%
4.7%
4.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
2.3%
9.0%
8.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.8%
1.0%
1.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.5%
0.2%
3.1%
1.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
2.4%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.4%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
1.9%
2.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
0.6%
1.6%
2.0%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
Weather
Both Long Beach and Anaheim benefit from the classic Southern California weather--warm, sunny, and mild throughout most of the year. Long Beach, with its coastal location, has a maritime atmosphere with slightly cooler summer temperatures and warm winters, while Anaheim, being more inland, experiences warmer summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Temperature - Average
65.3°F
64.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
70.4%
69.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
27%
25.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
79%
77.9%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
13.1 in
12 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.4%
26.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
78.4%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
85%
84.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
63%
63%
Wind speed - Average
6.1 mph
5.7 mph
Average climate in Long Beach, California
Average climate in Anaheim, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
Long Beach
Anaheim
2018
124
139
0.37
0.36
17.2
13.7
22.1
26.8
0.008
0.007
27.5
27.5
13.5
12.1
0.7
0.7
2017
122
145
0.36
0.50
18.1
14.8
23.2
26.7
0.007
0.007
26.7
26.7
14.5
13.5
0.8
0.6
2016
115
132
0.36
0.57
18.5
14.5
21.9
26.3
0.007
0.007
24.1
24.1
11.6
12.9
0.9
0.3
2015
111
142
0.38
0.45
19.9
14.7
22.5
26.0
0.005
0.007
25.0
25.0
13.9
14.8
0.9
0.3
2014
127
138
0.50
0.40
20.3
15.0
22.0
26.7
0.007
0.008
26.7
26.7
14.3
16.2
1.3
0.5
2013
126
138
0.48
0.47
20.0
14.8
24.7
25.3
0.005
0.005
32.3
28.3
14.6
13.9
1.0
0.5
2012
132
142
0.48
0.46
19.3
14.5
24.4
25.0
0.004
0.005
30.8
27.0
14.1
14.7
0.6
0.2
2011
119
138
0.43
0.42
20.2
15.9
23.4
26.7
0.006
0.007
28.4
27.4
15.6
16.0
1.2
0.8
2010
115
130
0.38
0.44
20.8
16.7
22.7
25.8
0.011
0.009
24.1
23.5
11.9
14.9
0.7
0.6
2009
132
151
0.50
0.41
21.0
18.0
22.0
26.0
0.008
0.010
27.7
24.4
13.1
15.4
1.1
1.1
2008
124
156
0.53
0.38
20.8
20.3
23.2
26.7
0.008
0.010
27.2
30.2
21.6
18.9
1.0
1.1
2007
109
135
0.60
0.38
20.3
19.5
21.1
26.2
0.010
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
0.8
2006
119
128
0.76
0.43
21.4
19.1
19.9
26.3
0.005
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
1.3
2005
108
128
0.74
0.45
24.3
20.7
20.5
31.3
0.011
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.7
1.3
2004
125
134
0.56
0.53
28.0
19.9
22.9
37.1
0.012
0.015
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
1.6
2003
130
143
0.83
0.69
28.1
23.7
22.4
23.8
0.032
0.025
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
1.1
2002
120
134
0.90
0.77
29.6
24.1
22.2
21.8
0.011
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
2.1
2001
124
143
0.81
0.94
30.3
28.4
21.5
24.5
0.011
0.035
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
1.7
2000
142
152
0.71
0.80
31.5
29.4
19.6
23.0
0.018
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
18.3%
19.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
6,875.1%
7,039.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
57%
32%
Transportation
Both cities have good public transit systems. Long Beach Transit provides bus service throughout the city and neighboring areas. Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) system serves the city's tourist destinations, and Metrolink provides rail service to the greater LA area. Both cities also have ample highway access for easy commuting.
Transport
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
312
136
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
29
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Bicycle
0.5%
1%
Bus
3.3%
0.9%
Carpooled
9.8%
10.8%
Car alone
81.8%
83.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Railroad
0%
0.2%
Subway
0.5%
0.3%
Walked
2.8%
1.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Average
30.7 min
30.8 min
Other means
28.5 min
28.1 min
Public transportation
46.4 min
47.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
89.7%
85.3%
In 2 person carpool
8.5%
11.2%
In 3 person carpool
1.4%
1.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.3%
0.8%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.9%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in both Anaheim and Long Beach is valuable given their desirable locations. Long Beach, due to its coastal location and historic neighborhoods, can be pricier. In contrast, Anaheim offers slightly more affordability, though prices can increase for properties closer to popular tourist destinations.
Neighborhoods
Long Beach and Anaheim boast diverse neighborhood options that cater to a variety of preferences. Long Beach is known for its historic neighborhoods like Belmont Shore and Bixby Knolls, while Anaheim is home to several master-planned communities like Anaheim Hills and Platinum Triangle.
Houses and residents
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Houses
179,856
110,319
Average household size (people)
2.8
3.4
Median year apartment built
1964
1975
Median year house/condo built
1954
1970
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.7 years
14.8 years
Houses occupied
172,599 (96%)
105,608 (95.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
69,470 (40.2%)
51,684 (48.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
103,129 (59.8%)
53,924 (51.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,057
$2,111
Median monthly housing costs
$1,692
$1,910
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$520,992
$1,256,069
Estimated median house or condo value
$693,600
$688,400
Median numbers of rooms
4.2
4.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.5
6.1
Median house price - detached houses
$900,658
$859,592
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$823,515
$742,035
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$495,928
$546,946
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$488,399
$553,561
Median house price - mobile homes
$333,777
$114,904
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$634,684
$619,623
Median house price - All housing units
$805,766
$782,600
Median house age
62
48
Renting percentage
58.4%
51.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
3,565.7
2,254.1
House value disparities
21.3%
20.2%
Household income disparities
44.7%
43.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$116,421
$125,169
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$79,392
$86,779
Housing units without a mortgage
394 (0.8%)
374 (1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,069 (6.2%)
2,222 (6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
49,321 (99.2%)
36,875 (99%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
48 (0.1%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,709 (7.5%)
2,794 (7.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
15
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
4
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.6%
4.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.4%
0.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Long Beach
Anaheim
One, detached
40.2%
42.7%
One, attached
4.9%
8.3%
Two
5.3%
2.3%
3 or 4
8.8%
7.6%
5 to 9
10.4%
6.8%
10 to 19
10.8%
5.5%
20 to 49
8.0%
6.8%
50 or more
10.6%
17.2%
Mobile homes
0.8%
2.6%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
18,532
11,077
State government workers
6,550
5,046
Unpaid family workers
178
65
Industries and Occupations
While both cities share strong industries in healthcare and education, Long Beach has a significant maritime and trade sector due to the Port of Long Beach. Meanwhile, Anaheim's primary industry remains in tourism and entertainment because of Disneyland and other associated hospitality industries.
Both cities are well serviced in health care facilities and providers. Long Beach has several leading hospitals, including the Long Beach Medical Center, while Anaheim is known for the Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center and the UC Irvine Health Anaheim Regional Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Infrastructure in both cities is well-developed, supporting both residential and business sectors. Anaheim supports a significant tourism sector, with infrastructure built to accommodate millions of annual visitors. The Port of Long Beach is one of the busiest seaports in the world, underpinning a robust transportation and trade-related infrastructure in the city.
Infrastructure
Type
Long Beach
Anaheim
Hospitals
17
22
TV stations
5
6
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
67
46
Bank institutions located here
18
19
Main business address for public companies
11
7
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
2
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Long Beach
Anaheim
1999
1,159
914
2000
710
679
2001
677
632
2002
708
735
2003
1,861
1,047
2004
2,162
1,456
2005
3,065
1,965
2006
3,591
1,999
2007
2,287
1,230
2008
887
599
2009
475
378
Culture and Food
Both cities offer a diverse range of cultural and food experiences. Long Beach has a vibrant arts scene with many galleries and museums and is known for its international food scene. Anaheim is famous for its diverse food offerings, from gourmet to ethnic eateries, and hosts numerous cultural events and festivals annually.
Sports Teams
Anaheim is home to the professional sports teams, the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) and Los Angeles Angels (MLB). Long Beach, while it doesn't host any major league teams, has a strong sports culture, with many amateur and collegiate level sports events.
Long Beach, CA
Anaheim, CA
