Austin, TX, and Long Beach, CA, are two unique cities that each offer their own attractive qualities. Austin, known for its vibrant music scene, tech industry, and educational facilities, contrasts with Long Beach's coastal beauty, diverse population, and port-driven economy. Varying factors such as cost of living, crime rates, weather, and cultural offerings contribute to their unique appeal.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Long Beach, CA : 1,217.3 miles
Austin's population is larger by 111%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Long Beach has decreased by 5,460 people (1.2%) during that time.
Both Austin and Long Beach have higher crime rates than the national average, though Austin's crime rate is a bit lower than Long Beach's. For tourists, both cities offer areas that are safe and areas to potentially avoid, but it’s good practice to remain vigilant. As a resident, local safety can be a consideration in choosing a neighborhood to live in. Both cities have made strides to improve safety and continue to do so.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,407 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 1,153 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 674 to 1; the ratio in Long Beach is 408 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Austin than in Long Beach.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Austin is generally lower than in Long Beach. This difference is most notable in housing prices, where Long Beach’s proximity to Los Angeles drives up housing costs. However, overall, the cost of goods and services, transportation, health care, and utilities are also higher in Long Beach compared to Austin.
Income Tax
Texas does not have state income tax, giving Austin an advantage over Long Beach, where residents are subjected to California's state income tax, one of the highest in the nation.
Property Tax
Property taxes are higher in Texas, including Austin, when compared to California. However, the median property value is much lower in Austin than in Long Beach, which could potentially offset the higher tax rate for home buyers.
Sales Tax
Texas, including Austin, does not have a state sales tax, but it does have a relatively high local sales tax. California has both state and local sales taxes, making the overall sales tax in Long Beach higher than Austin's.
Income
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$73,905
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$37,217
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
142
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $73,651 in Long Beach to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin, located in Central Texas, is characterized by its rolling plains and proximity to Hill Country, with many opportunities for outdoor activities. Long Beach, on California's coast, offers beautiful beaches, harbor views, and quick access to the Pacific Ocean.
Austin is home to renowned University of Texas system, boasting strengths in a range of fields, particularly engineering and business. Long Beach hosts California State University, Long Beach, known for its diverse student body and admirable marine biology programs. Both cities have highly ranked public schools and access to private education.
Austin's economy is growing rapidly, primarily driven by the tech industry with major employers like Dell, IBM, and Google. Additionally, Austin hosts a thriving startup scene. In contrast, Long Beach's economy is heavily based on its port activities, being one of the busiest seaports in the world. Trade, health care, and aerospace are other notable industries in Long Beach.
Biggest Employers
In Austin, the biggest employers are the State of Texas, University of Texas, and Dell. In Long Beach, the main employers are Long Beach Unified School District, City of Long Beach, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 304 building permits issued in Long Beach in 2012 (238 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Long Beach (Los Angeles County), 69.7% voted for Democrats and 27.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
2020
71.7%
71.0%
26.5%
26.9%
1.8%
2.1%
2016
65.8%
72.0%
27.2%
22.5%
7.0%
5.5%
2012
60.2%
69.7%
36.2%
27.8%
3.6%
2.4%
2008
63.8%
69.2%
34.4%
28.8%
1.8%
1.9%
2004
56.1%
63.3%
42.1%
35.7%
1.8%
1.0%
2000
41.7%
63.6%
47.0%
32.4%
11.3%
4.0%
1996
52.4%
59.3%
40.0%
31.0%
7.7%
9.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
36.1%
4.5%
4.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
1.0%
22.8%
9.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.4%
2.8%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.7%
0.7%
1.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.2%
2.5%
1.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.2%
2.1%
1.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.5%
1.0%
2.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.5%
0.1%
3.1%
Weather
Climate-wise, Austin is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters, contrasting with Long Beach’s mild, Mediterranean climate. Long Beach has warmer winters and cooler summers compared to Austin. The weather in Austin provides more sunny days per year but is also more susceptible to severe weather like thunderstorms.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
65.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
27%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
79%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
13.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
26.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
85%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
63%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6.1 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Long Beach, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
Long Beach
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
Austin
Long Beach
2018
76
124
N/A
0.37
4.9
17.2
26.7
22.1
0.008
N/A
27.5
N/A
8.7
13.5
0.2
0.7
2017
76
122
N/A
0.36
4.6
18.1
29.7
23.2
0.007
N/A
26.7
N/A
8.3
14.5
0.3
0.8
2016
71
115
N/A
0.36
4.2
18.5
29.5
21.9
0.007
N/A
24.1
N/A
8.2
11.6
0.2
0.9
2015
78
111
N/A
0.38
4.4
19.9
28.9
22.5
0.005
N/A
25.0
N/A
8.6
13.9
0.3
0.9
2014
74
127
N/A
0.50
5.2
20.3
28.3
22.0
0.007
N/A
26.7
N/A
8.7
14.3
0.5
1.3
2013
78
126
0.09
0.48
5.5
20.0
29.5
24.7
0.005
N/A
32.3
N/A
8.6
14.6
0.5
1.0
2012
86
132
0.13
0.48
5.5
19.3
30.1
24.4
0.004
N/A
30.8
N/A
8.6
14.1
N/A
0.6
2011
83
119
0.11
0.43
2.6
20.2
33.0
23.4
0.006
N/A
28.4
N/A
9.1
15.6
N/A
1.2
2010
77
115
0.05
0.38
3.2
20.8
29.4
22.7
0.011
N/A
24.1
N/A
8.8
11.9
N/A
0.7
2009
76
132
0.05
0.50
2.6
21.0
29.7
22.0
0.008
N/A
27.7
N/A
9.0
13.1
N/A
1.1
2008
81
124
0.12
0.53
3.2
20.8
30.7
23.2
0.008
N/A
27.2
N/A
9.7
21.6
N/A
1.0
2007
82
109
0.12
0.60
3.1
20.3
27.1
21.1
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
N/A
1.4
2006
89
119
0.14
0.76
3.8
21.4
31.3
19.9
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.2
1.7
2005
92
108
0.15
0.74
4.4
24.3
29.0
20.5
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
N/A
0.2
2.7
2004
74
125
0.16
0.56
3.3
28.0
26.8
22.9
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2003
85
130
0.26
0.83
4.2
28.1
28.9
22.4
0.032
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
1.1
2002
83
120
0.33
0.90
3.9
29.6
27.2
22.2
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
2001
83
124
0.31
0.81
4.2
30.3
25.5
21.5
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
2000
86
142
0.28
0.71
4.7
31.5
27.8
19.6
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
18.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
6,875.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
57%
Transportation
While both cities have public transportation systems, owning a car is beneficial in Austin due to its broad geographical range and limited public transit. On the other hand, Long Beach has better established public transit, including bus and rail services, which is a plus for commuters.
Transport
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
911
312
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
29
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Bicycle
0.8%
0.5%
Bus
1.5%
3.3%
Carpooled
7.9%
9.8%
Car alone
85.9%
81.8%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Subway
0%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2%
2.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Average
29.9 min
30.7 min
Other means
22.7 min
28.5 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
46.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
91.2%
89.7%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is significantly pricier in Long Beach due to California's high property values. In Austin, while housing prices have been on the rise due to its booming population and economy, they are still comparatively more affordable than Long Beach.
Neighborhoods
Austin is famous for its distinct culturally rich neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Downtown, and Tarrytown. Long Beach offers varied coastal neighborhoods like Belmont Shore and Naples, also known for their unique charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Houses
469,156
179,856
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.8
Median year apartment built
1997
1964
Median year house/condo built
1988
1954
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
15.7 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
172,599 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
69,470 (40.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
103,129 (59.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,057
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$1,692
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$520,992
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$693,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
4.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.5
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$900,658
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
$823,515
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$495,928
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$488,399
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$333,777
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$634,684
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$805,766
Median house age
28
62
Renting percentage
54.9%
58.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
3,565.7
House value disparities
28.4%
21.3%
Household income disparities
44.8%
44.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$116,421
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$79,392
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
394 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
3,069 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
49,321 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
3,709 (7.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
15
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
2.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Long Beach
One, detached
43.1%
40.2%
One, attached
5.2%
4.9%
Two
2.4%
5.3%
3 or 4
4.1%
8.8%
5 to 9
7.2%
10.4%
10 to 19
11.0%
10.8%
20 to 49
8.9%
8.0%
50 or more
17.2%
10.6%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
18,532
State government workers
46,229
6,550
Unpaid family workers
102
178
Industries and Occupations
The primary industries in Austin remain technology, entertainment, and education. For Long Beach, it's international trade, health care, manufacturing, and tourism. Both cities offer a diverse range of job opportunities, with more tech-based roles in Austin and more shipping and port-related occupations in Long Beach.
Both Austin and Long Beach have top-rated hospitals and health care systems. Austin is known for its extensive network of clinics and hospitals, including the Seton Family of Hospitals. In Long Beach, major health systems include, Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center, and Long Beach Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Long Beach
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin's infrastructure is known for its extensive parks system and well-maintained roads. Conversely, Long Beach benefits from the port's infrastructure and the Long Beach Airport. Both cities are investing in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Long Beach
Hospitals
65
17
TV stations
20
5
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
264
67
Bank institutions located here
43
18
Main business address for public companies
44
11
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Long Beach
1999
4,733
1,159
2000
2,950
710
2001
2,038
677
2002
1,772
708
2003
2,213
1,861
2004
2,458
2,162
2005
3,121
3,065
2006
3,367
3,591
2007
2,560
2,287
2008
1,747
887
2009
1,067
475
Culture and Food
Austin's culture is steeped in live music, Southern hospitality, and an eclectic food scene featuring renowned BBQ joints and Tex-Mex. Long Beach boasts a diverse culture with a mix of seaside charm, diverse cuisine, and the arts.
Sports Teams
Austin has recently acquired an MLS team, Austin FC, and is home to the Texas Longhorns college sports team. Long Beach does not host any major league teams but is a short distance from Los Angeles, which is home to the Lakers, Dodgers, and Rams.
Austin, TX
Long Beach, CA
