Cost of Living in Long Beach, CA
Long Beach's cost of living index is 166 — making it 39.8% more expensive than the US national average. To maintain your current standard of living here, you would need to earn $166,000 for every $100,000 of national-average income.
The Long Beach Tax & Cost Impact
Long Beach is located in California, a relatively high-tax jurisdiction. When you combine state income tax with a COL index of 166, your "Effective Purchasing Power" is significantly lower than the nominal salary suggests.
Decision Matrix
- ✓Housing: Expect a major "Housing Premium" here.
- ✓Savings Rate: To save $2,000/mo here, you need a gross household income of ~$139,440.
COL Index
166
100 = national avg
Monthly Budget
$8,300
vs $5,000 national
Population
0.5M
Metro area
State Tax
Yes
California
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in Long Beach vs national average for a typical household.
| Category | National Avg | Long Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,650 | $3,283 | +$1,633 |
| Groceries | $650 | $993 | +$343 |
| Transportation | $800 | $1,275 | +$475 |
| Healthcare | $400 | $585 | +$185 |
| Utilities | $300 | $498 | +$198 |
| Other | $1,200 | $1,834 | +$634 |
| Total | $5,000 | $8,300 | +$3,300 |
Salary Equivalent
To maintain the same standard of living in Long Beach, a national-average salary translates to:
$50,000 nationally
$83,000
$75,000 nationally
$124,500
$100,000 nationally
$166,000
$150,000 nationally
$249,000
What Your Salary Gets You in Long Beach
Here's how different salary levels translate to monthly purchasing power in Long Beach, CA, where the cost of living is 66% above the national average.
Cities With Similar Cost of Living
FAQ: Cost of Living in Long Beach
Is Long Beach expensive to live in?
Long Beach's cost of living index is 166, which is significantly above the national average of 100. Housing is typically the biggest factor, with estimated monthly rent around $2,739.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Long Beach?
To maintain a middle-class lifestyle in Long Beach, you'd need approximately $124,500 per year, which is equivalent to a $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living.
How does Long Beach compare to other cities?
Long Beach is comparable in cost to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle. More affordable alternatives include Washington, Boston, Portland.