Fresno, CA vs Long Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Fresno, CA and Long Beach, CA is dramatic. Fresno is 33.2% cheaper than Long Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fresno has a cost index of 105 while Long Beach sits at 157, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month compared to $1,803/month in Long Beach — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fresno is more affordable at $348,500 median vs $762,200.

Median household income in Fresno is $66,804 compared to $83,969 in Long Beach (-20.4%). The higher salaries in Long Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fresno spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Long Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65°F vs 64.9°F). Long Beach receives more rainfall at 12" per year compared to 11" in Fresno.