Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Riverside is 17% more affordable than Long Beach. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $61,935 in Riverside.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Long Beach has a housing index of 236 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Long Beach costs $700,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $200,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,200 in Long Beach versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Long Beach scores 106 while Riverside scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Long Beach (103) are higher than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Long Beach is $60,567 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Riverside.
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