Median rent is 21% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,377/mo). Buying is cheaper in Long Beach, where the median home runs $661,500 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Long Beach ($130,795 vs $80,366 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (113.3).
City A
Long Beach, NY
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Long Beach, NY?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Long Beach
New York
Los Angeles
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,377/mo in Long Beach, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $661,500 in Long Beach — 25% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 13.30% in California, so Long Beach is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 7.25% in California; Long Beach has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Long Beach
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Long Beach.
Pick Long Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($130,795/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick Long Beach if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is Long Beach cheaper than Los Angeles?
Long Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.3 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Long Beach.
How much is rent in Long Beach vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,377/mo in Long Beach, NY and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Long Beach or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $130,795 in Long Beach, NY and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Long Beach, NY 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Long Beach or Los Angeles?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and California's is 13.30%. Long Beach, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Long Beach income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Long Beach, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology