Long Beach Relocation Report: 2026 Data Deep Dive

Long Beach: The Data Profile (2026)

Long Beach operates as a dense, coastal urban ecosystem with a population of 449,496. The local economy is decoupling from the national average; while the median income sits at $81,606, this represents a +9.4% premium over the US median of $74,580. However, the cost of living premium is significantly higher, creating a squeeze on purchasing power.

The city is highly educated relative to the national baseline, with 36.8% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher (US avg: 33.1%). This suggests a workforce competitive for specialized remote roles or high-skill local positions.

Statistical Target Demographic: The data points to a "High-Earning Renter" profile. Specifically, a single professional or dual-income household earning between $110,000 - $140,000 annually. This demographic can absorb the +56.3% housing premium while leveraging the coastal amenities and education levels. Retirees and low-to-middle income families face significant financial friction due to the housing index.

Cost of Living Analysis

The primary financial friction in Long Beach is housing, which drives the overall Cost of Living (COL) index to 156.3 (US avg: 100). While groceries and transportation hover around 107.2 and 112.0 respectively, the electricity cost is a major outlier at 31.97 cents/kWh—nearly double the US average of 16.0 cents.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis

Based on the median income of $81,606, the monthly take-home pay (after taxes) is approximately $4,900. Comparing this to the $4,581 monthly budget for a single person leaves a disposable income of roughly $319. This ratio of 6.5% savings rate is critically low compared to the national average of ~12%. To maintain a standard 50/30/20 budget rule, a single earner needs to make closer to $110,000 to match national savings capacity.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the defining economic characteristic of Long Beach. The median home price is $890,000, which is 112% higher than the US average. The rental market, while expensive, offers a slightly better entry point relative to buying, though the Price-to-Rent ratio heavily favors renting.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Analysis

Buying is currently high-risk for the median earner. The monthly mortgage payment on a median home ($890,000) with 20% down at 6.5% interest exceeds $5,500, which is 112% of the median household's take-home pay. Conversely, renting a 1BR costs $2,601, which is roughly 53% of take-home pay. While 53% is above the recommended 30% rule, it is financially survivable compared to the impossibility of a mortgage at median income levels. Renting is the only viable data-supported option for the median earner.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

The local economy is heavily influenced by the Port of Long Beach and the aerospace/defense sector. However, the post-remote landscape has shifted the economic center of gravity.

• RTO Impact: With 36.8% college education, the workforce is heavily white-collar. While many work remotely for LA or Bay Area firms, local office vacancy remains high. This stabilizes local service costs but suppresses wage growth for local-only businesses.
• Commute Times: Average commute is 28 minutes. However, for those commuting to Los Angeles (DTLA), expect 45-60 minutes via the I-710 corridor.
• Unemployment: The unemployment rate is a concerning 5.5%, significantly higher than the US average of 4.0%. This indicates a softer local job market for non-specialized roles. Job seekers should target the healthcare and logistics sectors, which remain robust.

Quality of Life Audit

Long Beach offers a "Moderate" health environment. While air quality is improving, the AQI of 80 still poses risks for sensitive groups. Health metrics are mixed: obesity rates are lower than average (27.4% vs 31.9%), but diabetes rates are slightly elevated (11.7% vs 10.9%).

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety & Environment

• Crime: Safety is a split verdict. Violent crime is 500 per 100k (US avg: 380), landing in the AVERAGE range. However, Property Crime is 2,676 per 100k (US avg: 2,000), which is HIGH. Vehicle break-ins and package theft are statistically probable.
• Air Quality: With an AQI of 80 and PM2.5 levels of 10.5 µg/m³, the air quality is acceptable for most, but prolonged outdoor exertion during summer heat inversions is not recommended for asthmatics.
• Schools: The Long Beach Unified School District graduation rate is 85%, slightly below the state average but comparable to national urban centers.
• Weather: Today’s conditions are Mostly Clear with a high of 69°F. The climate is Mediterranean, with average highs of 75°F in summer and 55°F in winter.

The Verdict

Pros

• Income Premium: Median income is 9.4% above the national average.
• Education: Highly educated workforce (36.8%), creating a stimulating social environment.
• Health: Lower than average obesity (27.4%) and smoking rates (11.9%).
• Location: Coastal access provides inherent lifestyle value not captured in data.

Cons

• Housing Cost: The +112% premium on home prices makes ownership a distant dream for the median earner.
• Property Crime: The rate of 2,676/100k is a daily risk factor for residents.
• Unemployment: At 5.5%, the local job market is tighter than the national average.
• Electricity Costs: At 31.97 cents/kWh, utility bills are a significant budget drain.

Recommendation

Long Beach is a "Buy-to-Rent" city, not a "Buy-to-Own" city for the median earner.

Relocation is recommended only if:

1. You are a renter with a household income exceeding $110,000.
2. You work remotely for a company based in a higher-paying market (e.g., Bay Area, NYC).
3. You prioritize coastal lifestyle and social density over savings rate and property ownership.

If your goal is asset accumulation (buying a home), Long Beach is a poor choice based on 2026 data.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Long Beach?
To live "comfortably" (following the 50/30/20 rule and having discretionary income), a single person needs a gross salary of approximately $110,000. A family of four needs roughly $180,000 to avoid being "house poor."

2. How does the value proposition compare to nearby cities?
Long Beach is 12% cheaper than Santa Monica but 18% more expensive than San Pedro. It offers a "middle ground" price point for coastal LA county living, but the +56.3% housing index makes it significantly more expensive than the inland empire or central valley.

3. Are the safety statistics accurate for the whole city?
Yes, but they are averages. The property crime rate of 2,676/100k is heavily skewed by theft from vehicles in dense downtown and East Long Beach areas. Gated communities in the "Cambodia Town" and "Los Altos" neighborhoods see crime rates closer to the national average.

4. Is the air quality truly "Moderate"?
Yes. The AQI of 80 is technically "Moderate," but it is nearly double the US average of 50. If you have respiratory issues, you should budget for high-quality air filtration systems indoors (HEPA).