Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
32% cheaper
Tempe is 32% more affordable than Long Beach. A $75,000 salary in Long Beach is equivalent to $51,290 in Tempe.
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 Tempe sits at 114 (national average = 100). The median home in Long Beach costs $700,000 compared to $400,000 in Tempe, a difference of $300,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,200 in Long Beach versus $1,600 in Tempe.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Long Beach scores 106 while Tempe scores 100.
Healthcare costs in Long Beach (103) are higher than Tempe (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Long Beach is $60,567 compared to $56,068 in Tempe. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Tempe.
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