Long Beach vs Edmond

Category / Metric	Long Beach	Edmond
Financial Overview
Median Income	$81,606	$98,524
Unemployment Rate	5%	3%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$895,000	$380,000
Price per SqFt	$615	$175
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$773
Housing Cost Index	173.0	78.1
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	107.9	92.2
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.98	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	587.0	189.0
Bachelor's Degree+	37%	59%
Air Quality (AQI)	52	34

Head-to-Head: Long Beach vs. Edmond — The Ultimate Relocation Showdown

Choosing where to plant your roots is one of life's biggest decisions. It's not just about a zip code; it's about your daily rhythm, your wallet, and your peace of mind. Today, we're dropping two wildly different cities into the ring: Long Beach, California, a sprawling coastal metropolis with a gritty, artistic soul, and Edmond, Oklahoma, a quintessential, fast-growing suburb with a classic Americana feel.

This isn't just a data dump. This is your insider's guide to figuring out which of these two American opposites is the right fit for you. Grab a coffee—we're diving in.

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The Vibe Check: Coastal Cool vs. Heartland Charm

Let's cut to the chase. These cities aren't even playing the same sport.

Long Beach is a vibe. It's a city of 449,496 people that feels like a collection of distinct neighborhoods, from the ultra-rich Belmont Shore to the artsy, eclectic downtown. This is a city where you can watch the cargo ships glide by at the Port of Long Beach (the second busiest in the nation) in the morning, hit a world-class museum in the afternoon, and catch a punk show at a dive bar at night. It's diverse, loud, fast-paced, and unapologetically itself. The vibe is laid-back coastal with an undercurrent of urban energy. Think: sun-bleached hair, surfboards on bikes, and a killer taco scene on every corner.

Edmond, on the other hand, is the picture of polished, family-friendly suburbia. With a population of 98,113, it's a fraction of Long Beach's size but one of Oklahoma's fastest-growing cities. The vibe here is clean, safe, and community-centric. Think: manicured lawns, top-rated public schools, sprawling parks, and a town square that feels like a movie set. It's a place where "community" isn't a buzzword; it's a reality. The pace is slower, the air is fresher, and the focus is squarely on quality of life for families.

Who is each city for?

• Long Beach is for the young professional craving culture and diversity, the artist who needs inspiration, the foodie who wants endless options, and anyone who values access to a major metro (Los Angeles) without the full downtown L.A. price tag.
• Edmond is for the family prioritizing safety and schools, the remote worker who wants a spacious home without a coastal mortgage, and anyone seeking a simpler, more traditional American suburban experience.

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The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Feel Like More?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Let's talk about your paycheck and what it can actually buy.

Cost of Living Showdown

The "sticker shock" is real when moving from one to the other. Here’s the raw data:

Expense Category	Long Beach, CA	Edmond, OK	The Takeaway
Rent (1-BR)	$2,006	$773	Edmond rent is 61% cheaper. That's not a typo.
Median Home Price	$895,000	$380,000	Over $500k less for a home in Edmond. A game-changer.
Housing Index	173.0 (73% above US avg)	78.1 (22% below US avg)	Edmond is a bargain; Long Beach is premium.
Groceries & Utilities	~25-30% higher than US avg	~5-10% lower than US avg	Edmond offers significant savings on daily needs.

Salary Wars: The Purchasing Power Punch
Let's run a thought experiment. You're a professional earning a $100,000 salary.

• In Long Beach: Your median income is $81,606, so you're above average. However, your $100k will be stretched thin. After California's high state income tax (ranging from 1% to 12.3%), you're looking at roughly $65,000-$70,000 in take-home pay. A significant chunk of that—easily 40-50%—will vanish into rent or a mortgage. You'll have fun money, but you'll feel the squeeze.
• In Edmond: Your median income is $98,524, so you're right at the average. Here's the magic: Oklahoma has a 0% state income tax on earned income. That same $100k salary translates to roughly $75,000-$80,000 in take-home pay. And with rent at $773 or a mortgage on a $380k home, that money stretches miles further. You can max out retirement accounts, save aggressively, and still afford a vacation.

The Verdict on Purchasing Power: Edmond wins, and it's not even close. The combination of zero state income tax and a housing market that's half the price means your salary works overtime here. In Long Beach, you're paying a premium for the location and lifestyle.

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The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent & Market Dynamics

Long Beach: This is a notoriously tough market for buyers. With a median home price of $895,000, you're looking at a down payment of over $179,000 (20%) just to avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The market is perpetually competitive; bidding wars are common, and cash offers often beat out financed ones. Renting is the default for many, but even that is expensive. The upside? Long Beach's real estate has historically appreciated well, making it a potential long-term investment if you can get in.

Edmond: This is a buyer's market that's becoming more competitive due to growth, but it's still accessible. A median price of $380,000 means a $76,000 down payment. More importantly, you can find nice single-family homes with yards for that price—something impossible in Long Beach. The rental market is tight but affordable. For a first-time homebuyer, Edmond offers a realistic path to ownership without sacrificing quality of life.

The Dealbreakers: Commute, Weather, and Safety

Traffic & Commute

Long Beach: You're in the Los Angeles metro. Commutes can be brutal. While the city has its own jobs, many residents commute to L.A. or Orange County. Average commute times can easily hit 30-45 minutes in traffic. Public transit (the Metro Blue Line) is an option but can be crowded and slow.
Edmond: Commuting within Edmond or to nearby Oklahoma City is a breeze. The average commute is under 25 minutes. Traffic is minimal. This is a massive quality-of-life win.

Weather

Long Beach: The weather is the stuff of postcards. Average temp is 57°F, but that's misleading. Summers are warm and dry (70s-80s°F), winters are mild and wet. It's rarely too hot or too cold. The downside? It's coastal, so you get morning fog (the "June Gloom"), and you're in earthquake territory.
Edmond: You get all four seasons. Summers are hot (90s°F+), humid, and can be intense. Winters are cold (30s-40s°F) with occasional snow and ice storms. Spring and fall are beautiful but short. You need a wardrobe for every season and tolerance for weather extremes.

Crime & Safety

Long Beach: With a violent crime rate of 587.0 per 100k, it's significantly above the national average (~380/100k). Safety varies drastically by neighborhood. Areas like Belmont Shore are very safe, while others have higher crime rates. You need to do your homework.
Edmond: With a violent crime rate of 189.0 per 100k, Edmond is one of the safest cities of its size in the nation. It's consistently ranked as a top place to live for safety and low crime. This is a major selling point for families.

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The Final Verdict: Who Wins Where?

This isn't about which city is "better"—it's about which city is better for you.

Winner for Families: Edmond

Why: The combination of top-tier public schools, extremely low crime, affordable housing, and a community-focused environment is a dream for raising kids. You get a big house, a yard, and peace of mind for a fraction of the cost. The slow, safe, and friendly vibe is ideal for family life.

Winner for Singles & Young Professionals: Long Beach

Why: The cultural energy, diversity, food scene, and proximity to Los Angeles offer endless opportunities for networking, dating, and career growth. While expensive, the lifestyle is dynamic and inspiring. You're trading square footage for access to one of the world's most influential cultural hubs.

Winner for Retirees: Edmond

Why: Low cost of living, zero state income tax on retirement income (a huge financial advantage), low crime, and a slower pace of life make it a haven for retirees. The weather is a trade-off (hot summers), but the financial and safety benefits are overwhelming. Long Beach's high costs can erode a fixed income quickly.

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At a Glance: Pros & Cons

Long Beach, CA

Pros:

• World-class culture and diversity.
• Amazing food scene (especially Mexican and Asian cuisine).
• Mild, sunny weather year-round.
• Access to Los Angeles without the downtown price.
• Strong long-term real estate appreciation.

Cons:

• Extremely high cost of living (housing, taxes).
• High violent crime rate (varies by neighborhood).
• Heavy traffic and long commutes.
• Competitive housing market (rental and purchase).
• State income tax (up to 12.3%).

Edmond, OK

Pros:

• Exceptional affordability (housing, rent, groceries).
• Top-rated schools and family-friendly environment.
• Very low violent crime rate.
• Short commutes and minimal traffic.
• Zero state income tax on earned income.

Cons:

• Hot, humid summers and cold winters.
• Limited cultural/diverse amenities compared to a major metro.
• Less urban "buzz" for young singles.
• Fewer high-paying local job opportunities (more reliant on OKC).
• Slower pace can feel "boring" to some.

The Bottom Line: Your choice boils down to a fundamental trade-off: Lifestyle vs. Livability. Long Beach offers a vibrant, culturally rich lifestyle at a steep price and with more urban challenges. Edmond offers a safe, affordable, and easy-going livability that’s hard to beat, especially for families and those prioritizing financial freedom. Choose the trade-off that aligns with your life's current chapter.