Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Long Beach is 177% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,803/mo ↑ 74%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 42%
$83,969/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 44%
$762,200 ↑ 532%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 84%
$1,890/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 47%
458,491
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $764/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $9,168/year.

Median household income is $37,341/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making Rochester slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Rochester — common questions

Is Long Beach or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Rochester?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $764/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Rochester?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $37,341/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and New York?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Rochester details →

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