Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Long Beach is 44% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$1,803/mo ↑ 34%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 26%
$83,969/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 11%
$762,200 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 35%
$1,890/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 26%
458,491
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $460/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $5,520/year.

Median household income is $9,044/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Long Beach or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $460/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $9,044/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Long Beach details → View Salt Lake City details →

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