Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Long Beach, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Long Beach

California
169

San Francisco is 58% more expensive than Long Beach.

$2,419/mo ↑ 34%
Median Rent
$1,803/mo ↓ 25%
$141,446/yr ↑ 68%
Median Income
$83,969/yr ↓ 41%
$1,380,500 ↑ 81%
Home Value
$762,200 ↓ 45%
$2,620/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,890/mo ↓ 28%
836,321
Population
458,491

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Long Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $616/month cheaper in Long Beach, saving renters about $7,392/year.

Median household income is $57,477/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $762,200 in Long Beach.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Long Beach — common questions

Is San Francisco or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Long Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 169 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Long Beach?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Long Beach it's $1,803/month — a difference of $616/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Long Beach?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $83,969 in Long Beach. Median household income is $57,477/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,803/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Long Beach details →

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