City comparison
No. Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 189 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
The cost gap between Fresno and Long Beach is the real story here. Fresno comes in 24% cheaper on typical rent ($1,421 vs $1,871), which over a year adds up to $5,400. Median household income runs $70,991 in Fresno and $87,430 in Long Beach.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and Long Beach wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fresno at $1,421 average has pockets that run $1,221 and others at $1,821: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fresno and Long Beach are 224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $450 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $16,439 (23%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 187 in Long Beach, down 8 points (4%).
The move
Long Beach and Fresno are 224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $450 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $70,991 in Fresno, down $16,439 (19%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 195 in Fresno, up 8 points (4%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Long Beach, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Long Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Fresno rent is 24% cheaper than Long Beach
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Fresno is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $450/month back in your pocket ($5,400/year). Over five years that's $27,000 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Long Beach, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Fresno is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Long Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
23% higher
Long Beach's median income is 23% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Long Beach (about $16,439 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Long Beach is the stronger labor market on paper. Fresno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
4% lower crime
Long Beach's crime index is 4% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Long Beach
Winner187 (100 = avg)
Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 4% lower in Long Beach. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Long Beach, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Fresno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fresno and Long Beach are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
69°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Long Beach
71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 69°F (78°F highs); Long Beach averages about 71°F (77°F highs). Fresno sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Long Beach sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Fresno
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Long Beach is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 23% higher here ($87,430). Start with Long Beach if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Long Beach is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 4% lower than Fresno (187 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,421/month in Fresno versus $1,871 in Long Beach. Median income reads $70,991 in Fresno and $87,430 in Long Beach, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Long Beach's $1,871, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 40/100 in Fresno and 41/100 in Long Beach.
If housing cost drives your move, Fresno is the stronger match ($1,421/month rent against $1,871). If an employer or family tie already points to Long Beach, treat $1,871/month rent and $87,430 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Long Beach, plus other cities in CA.
