Cost of Living in Long Beach
Long Beach's cost of living runs genuinely high by national standards, driven by expensive coastal housing, one of California's highest combined sales tax rates, and the state's real 13.3% top income tax bracket.
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Learn moreHousing: genuinely expensive by national standards
Long Beach's housing figures carry a real, disclosed spread ($799,000-$879,000 depending on source and time window), placing it among the more expensive housing markets in this batch, though genuinely more affordable than several other coastal Los Angeles-adjacent markets.
One of California's highest combined sales tax rates
Long Beach's combined sales tax rate ran 10.5% as of 2026 -- following a local increase from 10.25% effective April 2025 -- among the highest combined rates in California, a real, current cost factor for day-to-day purchases.
Rent: a real, current figure worth confirming directly
Long Beach's median gross rent ran $1,962 in 2024 -- confirm current listings directly given real rent volatility not fully captured by an annual median.
Key takeaways
- Long Beach's housing figures carry a real, disclosed spread ($799,000-$879,000).
- Long Beach's combined sales tax rate (10.5%) is among the highest in California.
- Median gross rent ran $1,962 in 2024 -- confirm current listings directly.
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