Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
36% cheaper
Mesa is 36% more affordable than Long Beach. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $47,903 in Mesa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Long Beach has a housing index of 236 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Long Beach costs $700,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $350,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,200 in Long Beach versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Long Beach scores 106 while Mesa scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Long Beach (103) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Long Beach is $60,567 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Mesa.
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