Long Beach, CA vs Oakland, CA

Long Beach is moderately more affordable than Oakland, with a 10.1% lower cost of living index. Long Beach scores 157 compared to 175 for Oakland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oakland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month compared to $1,917/month in Oakland — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Long Beach is more affordable at $762,200 median vs $924,700.

Median household income in Long Beach is $83,969 compared to $97,369 in Oakland (-13.8%). While Oakland is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Long Beach spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, more than the 23.6% in Oakland.

Climate-wise, Long Beach is notably warmer with an average of 64.9°F compared to 58.1°F in Oakland. Oakland receives more rainfall at 18.7" per year compared to 12" in Long Beach.