Median rent is 5% lower in Long Beach ($1,871/mo vs $1,979/mo). Buying is cheaper in Long Beach, where the median home runs $806,600 versus $929,900. Households earn more in Oakland ($101,600 vs $87,430 a year). Taken together, Long Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 114.7 against 117.6 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oakland, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Long Beach is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 114.7 in Long Beach vs 117.6 in Oakland (US national average = 100)
City A
Long Beach, CA
City B
Oakland, CA
How much would you need to earn in Oakland, CA to maintain your standard of living from Long Beach, CA?
Equivalent salary in Oakland, CA
$76,831
You'd need $1,831 more (2% 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
Long Beach
California
Oakland
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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,871/mo in Long Beach and $1,979/mo in Oakland. Median home values are within 13% of each other: $806,600 in Long Beach and $929,900 in Oakland.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Long Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oakland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oakland has cleaner air on average: 60.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,600/yr).
Is Long Beach cheaper than Oakland?
Long Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 114.7 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Long Beach.
How much is rent in Long Beach vs Oakland?
Median rent is $1,871/mo in Long Beach, CA and $1,979/mo in Oakland, CA. Long Beach, CA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Long Beach or Oakland?
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach, CA and $101,600 in Oakland, CA. Oakland, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Oakland, CA has better air quality on average: 60.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Long Beach or Oakland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Oakland to match my Long Beach income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Long Beach, CA is equivalent to roughly $102,442 in Oakland, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
