Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
13% cheaper
Long Beach is 13% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $65,309 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. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Long Beach sits at 236 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $700,000 in Long Beach, a difference of $190,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $2,200 in Long Beach.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while Long Beach scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Long Beach (103).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $60,567 in Long Beach. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Long Beach.
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