City Comparison
Long Beach vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Angeles scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Long Beach is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Long Beach's average rent is
13% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Long Beach | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $2,184 | -13% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $210 | $231 | -9% |
| Transport | $130 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $150 | +80% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $3,015 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Long Beach offers 83% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Long Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Long Beach is estimated at
$68,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Long Beach runs warmer on average — a 63.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Long Beach comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Long Beach sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Long Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Long Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Long Beach.
From a growth perspective, Long Beach is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Long Beach
Advantages
Median household income stands at $87,430, supporting a stable local purchasing power relative to state baselines.
Exceptional climate featuring 328 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor recreation and coastal activities.
World-class higher education infrastructure anchored by California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Long Beach City College.
Extensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making core districts like Belmont Shore and Downtown highly walkable and bike-friendly.
Diverse and thriving economy driven by international trade at the Port of Long Beach, aerospace, and robust healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices, with average rents exceeding national medians.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries and freeways, particularly related to port freight and commuter transit.
Property crime rates in certain central and urban corridors remain higher than the national average.
State energy taxes and utility costs run noticeably higher than the U.S. average.
Poverty rate sits near 14.3%, indicating income inequality across specific neighborhood pockets.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Long Beach
#579California, USA
45.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$89,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
72
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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