Anaheim vs Long Beach — side-by-side
Cost of living: Anaheim vs Long Beach (2026)
A $71,000 salary in Anaheim buys roughly what $71,000 does in Long Beach (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Estimated annual swing
+$0/yr
Favoring Anaheim for this income & household (illustrative).
Run the numbers for your income — Anaheim may still win on taxes or rent depending on your household.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Anaheim California | Long Beach California | Who wins | Your impact at $71K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,900Better | $1,900 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,400Better | $2,400 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,300Better | $3,300 | — | — |
| Median home price | $730K | $720KBetter | Long wins −$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 108Better | 108 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $17Better | $17 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $70Better | $70 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100Better | $100 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $4.50Better | $4.50 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $185Better | $188 | Anaheim wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $148 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $68Better | $68 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $70K | Anaheim wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.3%Better | 9.3% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.8%Wins | 10.3% | Anaheim wins +1.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $17.00Better | $17.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $52Better | $52 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.50Better | $7.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 148Better | 148 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 60 | 72Wins | Long wins +12 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Anaheim fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Anaheim.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Anaheim vs Long Beach?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Anaheim is $2,400/month and in Long Beach is $2,400/month. Anaheim is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Long Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Anaheim?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Long Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Anaheim. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Anaheim or Long Beach?
Long Beach has the lower state income tax rate at 9.3% vs 9.3%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Anaheim to Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Anaheim ↔ Long Beach
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