Long Beach vs Seattle
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Long Beach
Seattle
💡 The Verdict
Long Beach and Seattle have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Washington salaries
Living in Long Beach vs Seattle
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Long Beach has a housing index of 236 while Seattle sits at 224 (national average = 100). The median home in Long Beach costs $700,000 compared to $750,000 in Seattle, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,200 in Long Beach versus $2,300 in Seattle.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Long Beach scores 106 while Seattle scores 109.
Healthcare costs in Long Beach (103) are lower than Seattle (109).
Median household income in Long Beach is $60,567 compared to $97,185 in Seattle. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Long Beach vs Seattle
If you are considering a move between Long Beach (index: 155) and Seattle (index: 152), the 2% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Seattle is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Long Beach can afford $1,413/month, while the median household in Seattle can afford $2,268/month. With median homes at $700,000 in Long Beach versus $750,000 in Seattle, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $2,200/month in Long Beach and $2,300/month in Seattle, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Long Beach (155) vs Seattle (152)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Long Beach at 155 is 55% above the US average, while Seattle at 152 is 52% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
Long Beach and Seattle land within 3 points of each other on the composite index (155 vs 152), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 236 versus 224, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Long Beach and Seattle. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Seattle with indices of 224 versus 236. Median home prices of $700,000 in Long Beach and $750,000 in Seattle underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Long Beach has an edge in groceries and healthcare, while Seattle is more affordable for housing and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.
For renters: With median rents of $2,200/month in Long Beach and $2,300/month in Seattle, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $50,000 difference in median home prices between Long Beach and Seattle translates to roughly $3,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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