Quick answer
Tempe costs $625/month less overall ($1,990 vs $2,615/mo). Tempe also has lower state income tax (2.5% vs 9.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach vs Tempe
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 Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,850 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 | $1,850 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $825K | $520K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $210 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $330 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 | $1,990 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 71/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 ✓ | 58/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 2.5% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Tempe's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $2,050 in Long Beach — a $600/month difference, or $7,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Tempe charges 2.5% state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $5,440/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $3,000 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Tempe are $520K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $61,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tempe utilities run $45 more per month than Long Beach.
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
Tempe, AZ
Tempe'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.
Tempe
Hot and dry: 100-120°F June-August, 55-70°F Nov-Feb. Virtually no rain. Intense sun, low humidity, clear skies year-round.
Job Market
Long Beach top industries
Tempe 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 Tempe if…
- →You're a Tech workers wanting California-quality jobs with 40% cheaper housing
- →You're a Students and recent graduates (ASU ecosystem)
- →You're a Remote workers who can handle extreme heat
- →You're a Anyone wanting low taxes, walkability, and affordable homeownership
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Tempe is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,990 in Tempe vs $2,615 in Long Beach — a $625/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Tempe?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 71/100. Tempe is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Tempe: which has lower state income tax?
Tempe has lower state income tax (2.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $5,440/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Tempe better for buying a home?
Tempe has lower median home prices at $520K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $305,000 difference on the median home.