Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Long Beach is 164% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,803/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 41%
$83,969/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 34%
$762,200 ↑ 413%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 81%
$1,890/mo ↑ 85%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 46%
458,491
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $744/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $8,928/year.

Median household income is $28,282/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Montgomery slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Long Beach or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Montgomery?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $744/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Montgomery?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $28,282/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Alabama?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Montgomery details →

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