salaryRent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,160 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 303 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Long Beach with other big cities
Compare Long Beach to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Long Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Long Beach
| Size | Long Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,634 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,798 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,180 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,616 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,061 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Long Beach overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Long Beach
Life in Long Beach
What jobs pay in Long Beach
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 14.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 16.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 16.9% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 17.0% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 17.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 20.2% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 21.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 22.2% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 22.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 22.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 25.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 26.8% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 27.9% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 29.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 33.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 34.5% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 36.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 37.0% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 37.1% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 38.5% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 45.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 56.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 57.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 57.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 61.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 64.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 72.5% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 74.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 76.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Long Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,318 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $806,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $80,660 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Long Beach, CA?
Renting in Long Beach costs a median of about $2,279 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Long Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,160 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Long Beach cheap or expensive?
Long Beach is rated OK: rent takes 29.0% of the typical household income of $94,293. It ranks 303rd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Long Beach?
The median homeowner in Long Beach pays $5,151 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Long Beach more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Long Beach?
The median home value in Long Beach is $806,600, about 8.6 times the typical yearly household income.
455,548 people live in Long Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.