Sacramento, the capital city of California, and Long Beach, known for its maritime port and beautiful oceanfront, both offer unique settings. While Sacramento offers a blend of historic charm and vibrant city life, Long Beach presents a tranquil oceanfront lifestyle. This article provides a comparative analysis for those considering relocating or just visiting these cities based on key factors including crime rates, weather, cost of living, and so forth.
Distance between
Sacramento, CA and
Long Beach, CA : 376.6 miles
Sacramento's population is larger by 15%. Its population has grown by 118,023 people (29.0%) since 2000. The population of Long Beach has decreased by 5,460 people (1.2%) during that time.
While neither cities can be classified as the safest in the nation, Sacramento reports a slightly higher overall crime rate compared to Long Beach. It is, however, noteworthy that the crime rates can significantly vary across neighborhoods within each city. As tourists or potential residents, it would be beneficial to research specific neighborhoods in both cities for more accurate data before making a decision.
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 2,168 registered sex offenders living in Sacramento and 807 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Sacramento is 228 to 1; the ratio in Long Beach is 583 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in Sacramento than that in Long Beach.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Long Beach is generally higher than in Sacramento. This is primarily due to higher housing costs. Other factors like groceries, transportation, and healthcare are also slightly more expensive.
Income Tax
As cities in the same state, Sacramento and Long Beach residents face the same income tax - one of the highest in the country due to California's progressive tax system.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in both cities are regulated by California state laws and are around the same range, but due to higher property values in Long Beach, homeowners may end up paying more.
Sales Tax
Both Sacramento and Long Beach have higher than average sales tax due to California's generally high state sales tax. However, Long Beach has a slightly higher rate than Sacramento.
Income
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Estimated median household income
$75,311
$73,905
Estimated per capita income
$37,916
$37,217
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
102.9
142
If you make $50,000 in Sacramento, you will have to make $68,999 in Long Beach to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Sacramento is at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, while Long Beach is a coastal city with an extensive beachfront. Sacramento drinks from the beauty of its rivers while Long Beach basks in its oceanic beauty.
Both cities have reputable institutions and a range of educational opportunities. Sacramento, being the state capital, has numerous public, private, and parochial schools, including California State University, Sacramento. Long Beach boasts strong educational institutions as well, including California State University, Long Beach.
Sacramento's top employment sectors are government, education, and healthcare. As the state capital, several state departments are headquartered here. Long Beach's economy is more diverse with a strong presence in sectors like healthcare, education, and port-related industries due to the Port of Long Beach.
Biggest Employers
In Sacramento, the biggest employers are the State of California, Sacramento County, and Dignity Health. In Long Beach, the top employers are Long Beach Unified School District, the City of Long Beach, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
There were 1,004 building permits issued in Sacramento in 2012 (943 more than in 2011) compared to 304 building permits issued in Long Beach in 2012 (238 more than in 2011).
In Sacramento (Sacramento County), 58.1% voted for Democrats and 39.1% 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
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
2020
61.4%
71.0%
36.1%
26.9%
2.5%
2.1%
2016
58.0%
72.0%
33.8%
22.5%
8.3%
5.5%
2012
58.1%
69.7%
39.1%
27.8%
2.8%
2.4%
2008
58.4%
69.2%
39.4%
28.8%
2.2%
1.9%
2004
49.8%
63.3%
49.6%
35.7%
0.6%
1.0%
2000
49.4%
63.6%
45.4%
32.4%
5.2%
4.0%
1996
49.8%
59.3%
40.8%
31.0%
9.4%
9.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
CATHOLIC CHURCH
16.2%
36.1%
5.1%
4.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.7%
1.0%
8.6%
9.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.9%
0.7%
1.3%
1.0%
NORTH AMERICAN BAPTIST CONFERENCE
0.6%
0.0%
2.2%
0.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.5%
2.1%
2.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.2%
1.8%
1.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.5%
1.7%
3.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
1.4%
1.4%
Weather
Sacramento typically experiences hotter summers with temperatures often exceeding 90 degrees, whereas Long Beach, being coastal, enjoys more moderate weather all year round. Winters in Sacramento are mildly cold, while Long Beach exhibits milder winter temperatures with more rainfall.
Weather and climate
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Temperature - Average
62.2°F
65.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
66.8%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
58%
27%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
79%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
29%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
19 in
13.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
31.5%
26.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
83.6%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
52%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
97%
85%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
63%
Wind speed - Average
6.8 mph
6.1 mph
Average climate in Sacramento, California
Average climate in Long Beach, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
Sacramento
Long Beach
2018
121
124
0.32
0.37
9.7
17.2
24.7
22.1
0.002
0.008
28.9
27.5
12.7
13.5
N/A
0.7
2017
117
122
0.33
0.36
9.0
18.1
25.2
23.2
0.002
0.007
22.1
26.7
8.8
14.5
N/A
0.8
2016
103
115
0.44
0.36
8.0
18.5
25.3
21.9
0.002
0.007
14.0
24.1
9.0
11.6
N/A
0.9
2015
105
111
0.25
0.38
9.7
19.9
24.9
22.5
0.002
0.005
16.2
25.0
10.9
13.9
N/A
0.9
2014
99
127
0.24
0.50
10.2
20.3
24.9
22.0
0.002
0.007
15.6
26.7
9.6
14.3
N/A
1.3
2013
102
126
0.29
0.48
11.1
20.0
23.2
24.7
0.002
0.005
21.3
32.3
11.9
14.6
N/A
1.0
2012
107
132
0.31
0.48
10.5
19.3
25.2
24.4
0.002
0.004
15.2
30.8
7.9
14.1
N/A
0.6
2011
106
119
0.29
0.43
11.2
20.2
24.0
23.4
0.002
0.006
17.7
28.4
10.8
15.6
N/A
1.2
2010
109
115
0.29
0.38
11.2
20.8
22.8
22.7
N/A
0.011
16.9
24.1
9.3
11.9
0.5
0.7
2009
118
132
0.40
0.50
12.4
21.0
23.3
22.0
0.003
0.008
20.6
27.7
11.4
13.1
0.5
1.1
2008
130
124
0.40
0.53
14.9
20.8
25.4
23.2
N/A
0.008
24.3
27.2
13.6
21.6
0.5
1.0
2007
129
109
0.39
0.60
14.8
20.3
23.7
21.1
0.005
0.010
19.9
N/A
13.5
N/A
0.6
1.4
2006
124
119
0.49
0.76
15.4
21.4
22.7
19.9
N/A
0.005
23.7
N/A
13.0
N/A
0.5
1.7
2005
125
108
0.42
0.74
15.9
24.3
20.0
20.5
N/A
0.011
22.1
N/A
13.5
N/A
0.6
2.7
2004
119
125
0.49
0.56
15.8
28.0
19.1
22.9
N/A
0.012
22.7
N/A
13.3
N/A
0.6
2.0
2003
119
130
0.47
0.83
16.8
28.1
20.3
22.4
N/A
0.032
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.9
1.1
2002
114
120
0.50
0.90
18.1
29.6
21.2
22.2
0.004
0.011
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2.8
2001
111
124
0.43
0.81
18.0
30.3
21.2
21.5
0.004
0.011
20.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
3.3
2000
107
142
0.55
0.71
17.9
31.5
19.5
19.6
0.004
0.018
19.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
8.8%
18.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,798.9%
6,875.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
57%
Transportation
Long Beach has a slightly better public transit score due to its comprehensive bus system and bike-friendly infrastructure. Sacramento also has a strong public transportation system with buses and light rail services. Both cities have traffic congestion issues, typical of major Californian cities.
Transport
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
414
312
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
20
29
Means of transportation to work
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Bicycle
1.1%
0.5%
Bus
1%
3.3%
Carpooled
12%
9.8%
Car alone
80%
81.8%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Railroad
0.4%
0%
Subway
0.1%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2.8%
2.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Average
28.5 min
30.7 min
Other means
22.8 min
28.5 min
Public transportation
39 min
46.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
88.5%
89.7%
In 2 person carpool
9.4%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.2%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate is more affordable in Sacramento than Long Beach. The median home price in Sacramento is significantly lower, though prices have been growing in recent years. Both cities offer a variety of housing options, from apartments to single-family homes.
Neighborhoods
Both cities boast diverse neighborhoods. Sacramento has areas like Midtown with a vibrant nightlife and Old Sacramento with its historic charm. Long Beach is known for its Belmont Shore neighborhood with beachfront homes and a bustling retail sector.
Houses and residents
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Houses
210,715
179,856
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.8
Median year apartment built
1977
1964
Median year house/condo built
1978
1954
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.8 years
15.7 years
Houses occupied
202,093 (95.9%)
172,599 (96%)
Houses occupied by owners
103,994 (51.5%)
69,470 (40.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
98,099 (48.5%)
103,129 (59.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$976.09
$1,057
Median monthly housing costs
$1,558
$1,692
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$398,191
$520,992
Estimated median house or condo value
$449,600
$693,600
Median numbers of rooms
5
4.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.1
3.6
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
5.5
Median house price - detached houses
$496,462
$900,658
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$630,561
$823,515
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$205,310
$495,928
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$382,635
$488,399
Median house price - mobile homes
$104,325
$333,777
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$463,571
$634,684
Median house price - All housing units
$481,210
$805,766
Median house age
44
62
Renting percentage
50.6%
58.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,168.8
3,565.7
House value disparities
25.5%
21.3%
Household income disparities
44%
44.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$109,432
$116,421
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$82,443
$79,392
Housing units without a mortgage
1,166 (1.6%)
394 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
4,385 (6.1%)
3,069 (6.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
70,415 (98.4%)
49,321 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.3%)
48 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,362 (7.5%)
3,709 (7.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
15
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
2.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.3%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Sacramento
Long Beach
One, detached
61.7%
40.2%
One, attached
6.8%
4.9%
Two
1.8%
5.3%
3 or 4
4.8%
8.8%
5 to 9
6.9%
10.4%
10 to 19
4.9%
10.8%
20 to 49
3.5%
8.0%
50 or more
7.6%
10.6%
Mobile homes
1.9%
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
12,891
18,532
State government workers
40,274
6,550
Unpaid family workers
755
178
Industries and Occupations
Industries in Sacramento are dominated by government services, healthcare, and education. However, Long Beach has a more diverse industrial mix with transportation and warehousing, health care, education, and the arts playing significant roles.
Both cities have good access to healthcare facilities. Sacramento is home to a UC Davis Medical Center, among other hospitals. Long Beach houses one of the top hospitals in the country, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Infrastructurally, both cities are well planned. Sacramento boasts historic buildings, a well-defined bike trail system, and light rail transit. Long Beach is known for its beachfront and bustling downtown area, complete with a variety of recreational amenities.
Infrastructure
Type
Sacramento
Long Beach
Hospitals
17
17
TV stations
23
5
Arenas or stadiums
1
2
Bank branches located here
127
67
Bank institutions located here
31
18
Main business address for public companies
5
11
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
26
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Sacramento
Long Beach
1999
1,003
1,159
2000
1,155
710
2001
983
677
2002
1,197
708
2003
2,258
1,861
2004
3,872
2,162
2005
4,610
3,065
2006
4,276
3,591
2007
2,386
2,287
2008
1,381
887
2009
647
475
Culture and Food
Both cities have multicultural influences and rich food scenes. Sacramento, known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," has many farm-to-table restaurants. Long Beach offers diverse cuisine, with a strong emphasis on seafood due to its coastal location.
Sports Teams
As for sports, Sacramento is home to NBA's Sacramento Kings, while Long Beach does not have a major league team. However, Long Beach is just a short drive from Los Angeles, which boasts several professional sports teams.
Sacramento, CA
Long Beach, CA
Sacramento, CA and 
Long Beach, CA : 376.6 miles
