Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Long Beach is 4% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $71,759 in Long Beach.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Long Beach sits at 236 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $700,000 in Long Beach, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $2,200 in Long Beach.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boston scores 108 while Long Beach scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Long Beach (103).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $60,567 in Long Beach. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Long Beach.
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