Median rent is 24% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,871/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fresno, where the median home runs $374,800 versus $806,600. Households earn more in Long Beach ($87,430 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 114.7 in Long Beach (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Long Beach, CA
How much would you need to earn in Long Beach, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Long Beach, CA
$93,694
You'd need $18,694 more (25% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fresno
California
Long Beach
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Fresno — median rent of $1,421/mo versus $1,871/mo in Long Beach, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Long Beach: the median home is $806,600 versus $374,800 in Fresno — 54% more expensive.
Metric
Fresno
Long Beach
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Long Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno has cleaner air on average: 53.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 114.7).
Pick Long Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,430/yr).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,421/mo median).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 53.0).
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Fresno.
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,871/mo in Long Beach, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 24%.
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $87,430 in Long Beach, CA. Long Beach, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Fresno, CA has better air quality on average: 53.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $124,925 in Long Beach, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
