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Sacramento vs Long Beach: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Long Beach is 15% more expensive than Sacramento. Sacramento is 1% safer. Sacramento population: 536,449. Long Beach population: 450,469.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingSacramento
SafetyTie
HousingSacramento

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Sacramento vs Long Beach

Sacramento is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 130 vs 150 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 20 index points.

CategorySacramentoLong Beach
Overall Index130150
Housing$3,382/moIndex: 190$4,183/moIndex: 235
Groceries$435/moIndex: 106$439/moIndex: 107
Transportation$378/moIndex: 108$403/moIndex: 115
Healthcare$336/moIndex: 105$339/moIndex: 106
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Sacramento vs Long Beach

Sacramento is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents vs Long Beach's 23.2. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade compared to Long Beach's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Sacramento

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
TrendStable
C+

Long Beach

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricSacramentoLong Beach
Overall Crime Rate23/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate414.0407.8
Property Crime Rate1886.21911.2
Murder Rate8.48.0
Assault Rate276.2286.3
Robbery Rate65.863.1
Burglary Rate279.7244.1
Theft Rate1539.81294.8
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0276.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Sacramento, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Long Beach.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Sacramento. A full comparison requires both cities.

Sacramento Climate Overview

Annual High74.1°F
Annual Low50°F
Annual Rain19.6"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento cheaper than Long Beach?
Sacramento is 15% more affordable than Long Beach, with a cost of living index of 130 vs 150 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $3,382/mo in Sacramento vs $4,183/mo in Long Beach.
Is Sacramento safer than Long Beach?
Sacramento is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents vs Long Beach's 23.2. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Sacramento or Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento is safer (C+ grade). Sacramento is more affordable (index 130 vs 150). Sacramento has a population of 536,449 and Long Beach has 450,469. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Sacramento compared to Long Beach?
Sacramento has a population of 536,449 and Long Beach has 450,469. Sacramento is 19% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Sacramento or Long Beach?
Housing is cheaper in Sacramento. Estimated monthly housing costs: Sacramento $3,382/mo vs Long Beach $4,183/mo. That's based on a housing index of 190 vs 235 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Sacramento Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Long Beach Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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