Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Vancouver, WA (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Vancouver

Washington
123

Long Beach is 37% more expensive than Vancouver.

$1,803/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 9%
$83,969/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$78,156/yr ↓ 7%
$762,200 ↑ 73%
Home Value
$440,300 ↓ 42%
$1,890/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 15%
458,491
Population
192,696

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Vancouver, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 123 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $171/month cheaper in Vancouver, saving renters about $2,052/year.

Median household income is $5,813/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $440,300 in Vancouver.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Vancouver — common questions

Is Long Beach or Vancouver cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Vancouver is cheaper to live in with an index of 123 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Vancouver?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Vancouver it's $1,632/month — a difference of $171/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Vancouver?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $78,156 in Vancouver. Median household income is $5,813/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Vancouver?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/mo, while Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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