City Comparison

London vs Long Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

Long Beach

California
155
Very Expensive
$700,000
Median Home
$2,200/mo
Median Rent
$60,567
Median Income

The Verdict

25.8%

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

Housing
162
London
236
Long Beach
Groceries
92
London
106
Long Beach
Utilities
112
London
114
Long Beach
Transportation
125
London
118
Long Beach
Healthcare
78
London
103
Long Beach

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

London is 25.8% more affordable overall with an index of 115 vs 155.
A $75,000 salary in London has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,087 in Long Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
London's housing index is 162 with median homes at $695,000, while Long Beach's is 236 with median homes at $700,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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