City comparison
Yes. Oklahoma City's crime index is 183 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 197 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and Long Beach is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $1,871), which over a year adds up to $8,892. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $87,430 in Long Beach.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and Long Beach pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Long Beach are 1,179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $741 a month (66%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $18,774 (27%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 187 in Long Beach, up 4 points (2%).
The move
Long Beach and Oklahoma City are 1,179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $741 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $18,774 (21%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 183 in Oklahoma City, down 4 points (2%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Long Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 40% cheaper than Long Beach
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Oklahoma City is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $741/month back in your pocket ($8,892/year). Over five years that's $44,460 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, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
27% higher
Long Beach's median income is 27% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Long Beach (about $18,774 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Oklahoma City's crime index is 2% lower than Long Beach
Oklahoma City
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Oklahoma City's crime index is 183 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Oklahoma City. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Oklahoma City, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Long Beach. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Long Beach
Winner71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Long Beach averages about 71°F (77°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Long Beach sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Long Beach scores 12% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Oklahoma City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Oklahoma City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Long Beach (183 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 27% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Long Beach runs $1,871/month while Oklahoma City sits at $1,130 — roughly 40% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Long Beach-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Long Beach's $1,871, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Oklahoma City and 71°F in Long Beach.
Oklahoma City is the default on housing cost at $1,130/month versus $1,871 in Long Beach; Long Beach stays in play when $87,430 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $741 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Long Beach, plus other cities in OK and CA.
