Long BeachMoney Index August 2026
"Coastal CA on a smaller bill."
Long Beach — Money Index — Key Facts
- Median Household: $74k. Long Beach households earn about $74k — right around the US median.
- 42% Own Their Home. Only 42% of Long Beach households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Cost of Living: 151. Long Beach is about 51% more expensive than the typical US city. A $75k salary here feels more like $50k elsewhere.
- 9% Savings Rate. Long Beach households save about 9% of income — close to the US average.
- Happiness Score: 66/100. Residents rate life in Long Beach a 66/100 — roughly the US average.
- Ranked #47 of 50. Long Beach ranks #47 of 50 on the PickYourBank US City Money Index — a blend of savings rate, income, affordability, happiness and work-life balance.
- 7% of Land Is Parks. Only about 7% of Long Beach's land is parkland — well below the big-city median. Outdoor recreation costs more here.
- Financial Stress: 60/100. Money stress in Long Beach sits at 60/100 — close to the national norm.
- Work-Life Balance: 55/100. Long Beach scores 55/100 on work-life balance — average for a major US city.
- 30-Minute Commute. Long Beach's one-way commute averages 30 minutes — 3 minutes longer than the US average. That's ~230 hours a year stuck commuting.
Long Beach offers Southern California living at meaningfully lower cost than LA proper.
With a median household income of ~$74k, a 9% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 151, Long Beach ranks #47 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
Only ~7% of Long Beach's land is parkland — below the big-city median. Free outdoor recreation is scarcer here.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Long Beach's commute (~30 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Long Beach household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Long Beach's cost of living and savings rate.
How Long Beach feels about money
Four Long Beach money truths
Long Beach's savings rate runs 9% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Long Beach runs above the US average, so price discipline matters more here than in most metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
California residents in Long Beach report a 66/100 happiness score with stress at 60/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Long Beach's median rent is roughly 15-20% below LA's."
Money lessons from Long Beach
- 1
Pick the cheaper coast city
- 2
Walk or bike — kill car costs
- 3
Invest the savings you protect
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Long Beach money FAQ
Is Long Beach, California a good city for saving money?+
Long Beach households save about 9% of income, with a happiness score of 66/100 and a work-life balance score of 55/100. Long Beach offers Southern California living at meaningfully lower cost than LA proper.
What is the median household income in Long Beach?+
The median household income in Long Beach, California is roughly $74,000 per year. About 44% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Long Beach?+
Long Beach's cost of living index sits at 151 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 42%.
How long is the average commute in Long Beach?+
Long Beach's commute (~30 min one-way) is well above the US average of ~27 minutes. Long commutes quietly tax income, health and savings.
How much urban green space does Long Beach have?+
Only ~7% of Long Beach's land is parkland — below the big-city median. Free outdoor recreation is scarcer here.
What money personality fits Long Beach?+
The Dreamer — Buys experiences first; money follows meaning.
What's surprising about money in Long Beach?+
Long Beach's median rent is roughly 15-20% below LA's.
