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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

Long Beach is 122% more expensive than Pasadena.

$1,803/mo ↑ 50%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 33%
$83,969/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 23%
$762,200 ↑ 294%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 75%
$1,890/mo ↑ 66%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 40%
458,491
Population
149,345

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
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $602/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $7,224/year.

Median household income is $19,699/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Long Beach or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Pasadena?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Pasadena it's $1,201/month — a difference of $602/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Pasadena?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $19,699/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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Pasadena details →

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