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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Long Beach is 109% more expensive than Gainesville.

$1,803/mo ↑ 49%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↓ 33%
$83,969/yr ↑ 84%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 46%
$762,200 ↑ 224%
Home Value
$235,000 ↓ 69%
$1,890/mo ↑ 62%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↓ 38%
458,491
Population
143,611

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
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $589/month cheaper in Gainesville, saving renters about $7,068/year.

Median household income is $38,358/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Long Beach or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gainesville is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Gainesville?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $589/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Gainesville?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $38,358/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 Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Gainesville details →

More Comparisons

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