Quick answer
Denver costs $360/month less overall ($2,255 vs $2,615/mo). Denver also has lower state income tax (4.4% vs 9.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Long Beach
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Denver vs Long Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Denver | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,740 ✓ | $2,650 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,250 ✓ | $2,650 |
| Median Home Price | $565K ✓ | $825K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $165 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $400 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,255 ✓ | $2,615 |
| Walk Score | 61/100 | 76/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 44/100 | 72/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 9.3% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Denver's 1BR averages $1,740/month vs $2,050 in Long Beach — a $310/month difference, or $3,720/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Denver charges 4.4% state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $3,920/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Denver are $565K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $52,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Long Beach utilities run $20 more per month than Denver.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Denver, CO
Denver's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Denver
300 sunny days; dry winters with periodic snow (rarely extreme cold); hot low-humidity summers; 5,280 ft altitude affects nearly all newcomers for the first 1–3 weeks
Long Beach
Year-round mild: 60-70°F average. Rarely freezes; minimal rain (12 inches/year). Marine layer mornings (May-August) bring overcast, cool conditions until afternoon clearing.
Job Market
Denver top industries
Long Beach top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Denver if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a craft beer lovers
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Long Beach if…
- →You're a Port/logistics workers
- →You're a People who want beach access without LA's sprawl
- →You're a Artists and creative types seeking community and affordability
- →You're a Anyone wanting California weather without SF or San Diego prices
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Denver is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,255 in Denver vs $2,615 in Long Beach — a $360/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Denver or Long Beach?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 61/100. Denver is more car-dependent.
Denver vs Long Beach: which has lower state income tax?
Denver has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,920/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Denver or Long Beach better for buying a home?
Denver has lower median home prices at $565K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $260,000 difference on the median home.