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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Tampa

Florida
113

Long Beach is 50% more expensive than Tampa.

$1,803/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,567/mo ↓ 13%
$83,969/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$71,302/yr ↓ 15%
$762,200 ↑ 103%
Home Value
$375,300 ↓ 51%
$1,890/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 18%
458,491
Population
393,389

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
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Tampa, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 113 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $236/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $2,832/year.

Median household income is $12,667/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $375,300 in Tampa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Tampa — common questions

Is Long Beach or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Tampa?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Tampa it's $1,567/month — a difference of $236/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Tampa?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $71,302 in Tampa. Median household income is $12,667/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 Tampa?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Tampa has a cost index of 113 with rent of $1,567/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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