2025 Compare Cities Overview:
San Marcos, CA vs Long Beach, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Long Beach older or younger than people in San Marcos?
- The Median Age in Long Beach is 0.3 years older than in San Marcos.

Are housing costs cheaper in Long Beach or San Marcos?
- Long Beach housing costs are 9.0% less expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Long Beach or San Marcos?
- The average commute for residents of Long Beach is 4.1 minutes longer than it is for residents of San Marcos.

Things to do in San Marcos?
San Marcos, California is an amazing city located in northern San Diego County. It's known for its picturesque mountain backdrop, diverse culture, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can take advantage of outdoor activities like exploring Lake San Marcos or enjoying a day at Walnut Grove Park to explore the local area. History buffs can visit places like Old Mission San Luis Rey Church or César E. Chávez Recreation Area to gain insight into local history. After exploring, sample delicious food from restaurants like Turf Grill & Sports Bar or Sushi Ryu. With so much to offer, San Marcos is an ideal destination for an unforgettable experience!

Things to do in Long Beach?
Long Beach, California makes for an ideal destination for beach lovers, boasting miles of gorgeous coastline. Visitors can spend the day in the sand or enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The city also offers numerous cultural attractions such as the Long Beach Museum of Art and aquarium, plus plenty of shopping destinations downtown and along Shoreline Drive. In addition to its beaches, Long Beach has a lively nightlife filled with bars and clubs, making it a great choice for those who want to experience all that this vibrant city has to offer.

 San Marcos, CALong Beach, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock466,565329,725,481
 Median Income$90,620  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$813,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock11.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time26.23  Unlock26.38
Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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Reviews for Long Beach    45 Reviews

Local born and bred. This place is going down the drain. Crime is up, housing is up, yuppies finding nothing wrong with it since they want to validate spending 3k on a 2  More

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Angelique · 
Over 5 years ago

I love Long Beach. I especially shoreline village and the aquarium of the pacific. The only big problem here (for me) is crime. Otherwise, nice  More

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Over 7 years ago

The cost of living is extremely high and there are way too many apartments or multi unit homes which have no parking. But with everyone living on top of each other it  More

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