Long Beach vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Long Beach
Meridian
💡 The Verdict
Meridian is 39% cheaper than Long Beach overall. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $45,484 in Meridian.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Long Beach (left) vs Meridian (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Long Beach versus Meridian. Differences shown from Long Beach perspective.
| Item | Long Beach | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,580/mo | $880/mo | +$700.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $2,200/mo | $1,160/mo | +$1040.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,950/mo | $1,440/mo | +$1510.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.14 | $2.62 | +$0.52 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.19 | $3.54 | +$0.65 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.34 | $2.91 | +$0.43 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.87 | $5.18 | +$0.69 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.71 | $3.22 | +$0.49 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.86 | $15.16 | +$5.70 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Long Beach has the same purchasing power as $45,484 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $123,670 in Long Beach.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $300 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. California details → · Idaho details →
Reading These Numbers: Long Beach (155) vs Meridian (94)
Long Beach at 155 is 55% above the US average, while Meridian at 94 is 6% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Long Beach, the composite index of 155 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 236, followed by groceries (106), utilities (114), transportation (118), and healthcare (103). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $2,200/mo in Long Beach and $1,160/mo in Meridian, the annual rent difference is approximately $12,480.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $62,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $389,000.0 difference in median home prices between Long Beach and Meridian translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Long Beach vs Meridian
Choosing between Long Beach and Meridian involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Long Beach versus Meridian depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.