Glendale, CA vs Long Beach, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Long Beach is 20.3% cheaper than Glendale. With a cost index of 157 vs 189, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Long Beach to Glendale should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Glendale is $2,095/month compared to $1,803/month in Long Beach — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Long Beach is more affordable at $762,200 median vs $1,043,900.
Median household income in Glendale is $84,262 compared to $83,969 in Long Beach (+0.3%). Glendale does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Glendale spend roughly 29.8% of their income on rent, more than the 25.8% in Long Beach.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.2°F vs 64.9°F). Glendale receives more rainfall at 13.9" per year compared to 12" in Long Beach.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)