Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Long Beach is 138% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,803/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 39%
$83,969/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 25%
$762,200 ↑ 326%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 77%
$1,890/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 41%
458,491
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $697/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $8,364/year.

Median household income is $21,249/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Abilene — common questions

Is Long Beach or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Abilene?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $697/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Abilene?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $21,249/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Long Beach and Abilene

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