Long Beach, CA

Long Beach CA scores 43/100 on safety (well below average). Crime is about 74% above the national average. Research block-level crime data and visit after dark before you commit.

Detail: overall crime index 174 (100 = avg); violent crime index 175; property crime index 173. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Long Beach. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Long Beach is about $1,871/month (on the high side). At $1,871/month for a typical unit, you need about $67,356+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $806,600.

Median household income is $87,430, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($87,430) clears the $67,356 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 82°F (highs near 90°F, lows near 74°F).

Midafternoon outdoor time is limited most of summer without shade and water. Plan on summer electric bills around $200–$300/month for a typical apartment if you run AC hard. If you visit, go in July or August. That is the real test.

Who tends to thrive in Long Beach: (1) Dual-income households (at $1,871/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (2) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $87,430 helps carry housing costs) (3) Households earning $67,356+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,871/month (4) Movers with a locked job offer in Long Beach who already priced rent and commute

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People with young kids who want to let them roam freely (crime pressure is real here; safety 43/100) (2) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $1,871/month) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,871/month

Income sniff test: clear about $67,356 household income for $1,871/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Long Beach scores 43/100 on safety with $1,871/month typical rent. Run the numbers against your income before committing.