Long Beach vs Anaheim — side-by-side
Cost of living: Long Beach vs Anaheim (2026)
A $71,000 salary in Long Beach buys roughly what $71,000 does in Anaheim (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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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$0/yr
Favoring Long Beach for this income & household (illustrative).
Run the numbers for your income — Long Beach 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 | Long Beach California | Anaheim 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 | $720KBetter | $730K | 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 | $188 | $185Better | Anaheim wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $148 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $68Better | $68 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70K | $72KBetter | Anaheim wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.3%Better | 9.3% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 8.8%Wins | 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 | 72Wins | 60 | 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
Long Beach 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 Long Beach.
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.
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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 Long Beach vs Anaheim?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach is $2,400/month and in Anaheim is $2,400/month. Long Beach is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Anaheim to match a $75,000 salary in Long Beach?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Anaheim to match a $75,000 salary in Long Beach. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Long Beach or Anaheim?
Anaheim 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 Long Beach to Anaheim?
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: Long Beach ↔ Anaheim
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