Quick answer
Long Beach costs $170/month less overall ($2,615 vs $2,785/mo). Both cities have 9.3% state income tax, so the rent gap is the real difference.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach vs Oakland
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Long Beach vs Oakland at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 ✓ | $2,850 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 ✓ | $2,850 |
| Median Home Price | $825K ✓ | $925K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $155 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 ✓ | $430 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 ✓ | $2,785 |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 74/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 | 73/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% ✓ | 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: Long Beach's 1BR averages $2,050/month vs $2,200 in Oakland — a $150/month difference, or $1,800/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Both cities carry the same state income tax rate (9.3%), so this isn't a differentiator.
Home buying: Median homes in Long Beach are $825K vs $925K in Oakland. At a 20% down payment, that's a $20,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Long Beach utilities run $10 more per month than Oakland. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Oakland, CA
Oakland's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
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.
Oakland
Mild year-round (50-75°F), almost zero rain May-September. Cool mornings, warm afternoons. Occasional fog in early summer.
Job Market
Long Beach top industries
Oakland top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Oakland if…
- →You're a Bay Area tech workers wanting 30% cheaper rent than SF
- →You're a Artists and creatives seeking studio space
- →You're a People comfortable with urban complexity
- →You're a BART commuters working in SF or Silicon Valley
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Oakland cheaper to live in?
Long Beach is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,615 in Long Beach vs $2,785 in Oakland — a $170/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Oakland?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 74/100. Oakland is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Oakland: which has lower state income tax?
Both Long Beach and Oakland have the same state income tax rate (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Oakland better for buying a home?
Long Beach has lower median home prices at $825K vs $925K in Oakland — a $100,000 difference on the median home.