San Diego vs Long Beach — side-by-side
Cost of living: San Diego vs Long Beach (2026)
A $79,000 salary in San Diego buys roughly what $79,000 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.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$2,448/yr
Favoring Long Beach for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $204/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~74 months and still keep ~$24/mo for dining out.
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 | San Diego California | Long Beach California | Who wins | Your impact at $79K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,100 | $1,900Better | Long wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Long |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,400Better | Long wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Long |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500 | $3,300Better | Long wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Long |
| Median home price | $850K | $720KWins | Long wins −$130K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 109 | 108Better | Long wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $18 | $17Better | Long wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $75 | $70Better | Long wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100Better | $100 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $4.40Better | $4.50 | San Diego wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Wins | $188 | San Diego wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in San Diego |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $130Wins | $148 | San Diego wins +$18/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $68 | San Diego wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $88KWins | $70K | San Diego wins −$18K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.3%Better | 9.3% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.8%Wins | 10.3% | San Diego wins +2.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $17.00Better | $17.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $55 | $52Better | Long wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $8.00 | $7.50Better | Long wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 148Better | 148 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 51 | 72Wins | Long wins +21 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
San Diego 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 San Diego.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Diego vs Long Beach?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in San Diego is $2,600/month and in Long Beach is $2,400/month. San Diego is more expensive by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Long Beach to match a $75,000 salary in San Diego?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Long Beach to match a $75,000 salary in San Diego. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — San Diego 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 San Diego 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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: San Diego ↔ Long Beach
How much would you need to earn in Long Beach to match your San Diego purchasing power?