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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Long Beach is 78% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,803/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 23%
$83,969/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 12%
$762,200 ↑ 176%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 64%
$1,890/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 25%
458,491
Population
394,769

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $414/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $4,968/year.

Median household income is $10,450/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Arlington — common questions

Is Long Beach or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Arlington?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $414/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Arlington?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $10,450/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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Long Beach and Arlington

Long Beach vs. Raleigh Long Beach vs. Virginia Beach Long Beach vs. Colorado Springs Long Beach vs. Miami Long Beach vs. Omaha Long Beach vs. Oakland Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans