Quick answer
Raleigh costs $640/month less overall ($1,975 vs $2,615/mo). Raleigh also has lower state income tax (4.5% vs 9.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach vs Raleigh
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 Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,860 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 | $1,860 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $825K | $420K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $350 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 | $1,975 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.5% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Raleigh's 1BR averages $1,480/month vs $2,050 in Long Beach — a $570/month difference, or $6,840/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Raleigh charges 4.5% state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $3,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $5,400 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Raleigh are $420K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $81,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Long Beach utilities run $20 more per month than Raleigh. 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
Raleigh, NC
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Raleigh. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
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.
Raleigh
Four mild seasons; hot humid summers (heat index 100–105°F in July), light winters, excellent spring and fall
Job Market
Long Beach top industries
Raleigh 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
Move to Raleigh if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech / pharma professionals
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a young families
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,975 in Raleigh vs $2,615 in Long Beach — a $640/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Raleigh?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 34/100. Raleigh is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Raleigh: which has lower state income tax?
Raleigh has lower state income tax (4.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Raleigh better for buying a home?
Raleigh has lower median home prices at $420K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $405,000 difference on the median home.