Quick answer
Wichita costs $1175/month less overall ($1,440 vs $2,615/mo). Wichita also has lower state income tax (5.7% (top) vs 9.3%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach vs Wichita
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 12, 2026
Long Beach vs Wichita at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,100 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 | $1,100 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $825K | $180K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 | $370 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 | $1,440 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 ✓ | 21/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5.7% (top) ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Wichita's 1BR averages $900/month vs $2,050 in Long Beach — a $1,150/month difference, or $13,800/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Wichita charges 5.7% (top) state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $2,880/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $6,840 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Wichita are $180K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $129,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Wichita utilities run $5 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
Wichita, KS
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Wichita. 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.
Wichita
Hot, dry summers; cold winters with occasional ice/snow; severe thunderstorm risk.
Job Market
Long Beach top industries
Wichita 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 Wichita if…
- →You're a Aerospace engineers and manufacturing professionals
- →You're a Anyone seeking extremely affordable living
- →You're a Industrial/chemical sector workers
- →You're a Retirees with modest budgets
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Wichita cheaper to live in?
Wichita is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,440 in Wichita vs $2,615 in Long Beach — a $1175/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Wichita?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 35/100. Wichita is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Wichita: which has lower state income tax?
Wichita has lower state income tax (5.7% (top)). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,880/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Wichita better for buying a home?
Wichita has lower median home prices at $180K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $645,000 difference on the median home.