City comparison
No. Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 189 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Philadelphia and Long Beach. Philadelphia averages 54°F while Long Beach averages 76°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,397 versus $1,871.
Long Beach is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Long Beach is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Long Beach are 2,393 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $474 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $25,477 (41%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 187 in Long Beach, down 74 points (28%).
The move
Long Beach and Philadelphia are 2,393 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $474 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $25,477 (29%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 261 in Philadelphia, up 74 points (40%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Long Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 25% cheaper than Long Beach
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Philadelphia is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $474/month back in your pocket ($5,688/year). Over five years that's $28,440 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, Philadelphia 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
41% higher
Long Beach's median income is 41% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 41% higher in Long Beach (about $25,477 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
28% lower crime
Long Beach's crime index is 28% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Long Beach
Winner187 (100 = avg)
Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in Long Beach. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Long Beach is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Long Beach
Winner76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Long Beach sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Long Beach scores 45% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 25% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia 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 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 41% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 28% lower than Philadelphia (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
Weather separates these metros: $1,871/month rent in Long Beach at 76°F versus $1,397 in Philadelphia at 54°F. Income runs $87,430 vs $61,953, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Long Beach's $1,871, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,871 in Long Beach.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Long Beach; Philadelphia only makes sense when 54°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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