Buy vs Rent in Long Beach, CA (2026)
Median home price $720K · 1BR rent $2,400/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 25.0x.
Median home price
$720K
1BR rent
$2,400/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
25.0x
Verdict
Rent signal
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $25,200 | $72,000 | $144,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $4,623/mo | $4,311/mo | $3,832/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $660/mo | $660/mo | $660/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $300/mo | $300/mo | $300/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $600/mo | $600/mo | $600/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $6,183vs rent: +$3,783/mo | $5,871vs rent: +$3,471/mo | $5,392vs rent: +$2,992/mo |
| Income to qualify | $198,129/yr | $184,757/yr | $164,229/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~4 yrs |
Long Beach housing context
$70K
Median HH income
per year
$164,229
Income needed (20% down)
per year
+$94K
Affordability gap
vs median income
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Long Beach?
With a price-to-rent ratio of 25.0x, renting is often more cost-effective in Long Beach in the short term. Buying makes more sense if you plan to stay 7+ years and can make a larger down payment.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Long Beach?
With a median home price of $720K in Long Beach, you'd need an annual income of roughly $164,229 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $184,757/year.
Long Beach full cost of living breakdownCheaper cities near Long BeachHow much to retire in Long BeachCompare mortgage rates
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only