City Comparison
Long Beach vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Long Beach scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Long Beach.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,803 | +5% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $250 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,803 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Long Beach offers 40% 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 $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 328 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Long Beach is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, San Bernardino 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 | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
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
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Long Beach and San Bernardino.
Open Cost Calculator