Median rent is 15% lower in Phoenix ($1,582/mo vs $1,871/mo). Buying is cheaper in Phoenix, where the median home runs $420,700 versus $806,600. Households earn more in Long Beach ($87,430 vs $81,332 a year). Taken together, Phoenix is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 104.7 against 114.7 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Phoenix is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 104.7 in Phoenix vs 114.7 in Long Beach (US national average = 100)
City A
Long Beach, CA
City B
Phoenix, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Phoenix, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Long Beach, CA?
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$68,416
You could earn $6,584 less (9% lower) and break even.
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
Phoenix
Arizona
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 rent is modestly lower in Phoenix at $1,582/mo compared to $1,871/mo in Long Beach (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Long Beach: the median home is $806,600 versus $420,700 in Phoenix — 48% more expensive.
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
Phoenix
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Phoenix has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 104.7 vs 114.7).
Pick Long Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,430/yr).
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,582/mo median).
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Long Beach cheaper than Phoenix?
Phoenix is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 104.7 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Phoenix.
How much is rent in Long Beach vs Phoenix?
Median rent is $1,871/mo in Long Beach, CA and $1,582/mo in Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix, AZ has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Long Beach or Phoenix?
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach, CA and $81,332 in Phoenix, AZ. Long Beach, 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?
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Long Beach or Phoenix?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Phoenix 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 $91,222 in Phoenix, AZ (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
