Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Long Beach is 28% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,803/mo ↑ 2%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 1%
$83,969/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 5%
$762,200 ↑ 67%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 40%
$1,890/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 6%
458,491
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $4,034/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Long Beach or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $27/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $4,034/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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