London vs Long Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Long Beach
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.8%, with London being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in London has equivalent purchasing power to $101,087 in Long Beach.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $101,087 in Long Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Long Beach equals $55,645 in London.
Living in London vs Long Beach
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is lower Long Beach's 236, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $700,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $2,200/mo in Long Beach, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 106 in Long Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $504/month in Long Beach. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 114 in Long Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $456 in Long Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 103 in Long Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in London and $60,567 in Long Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $39,075 respectively. London residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,413/month in Long Beach. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Long Beach, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases