City Comparison
Long Beach vs San Francisco
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Francisco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
San Francisco
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Long Beach is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: Long Beach's average rent is
58% lower than San Francisco's.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Francisco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $4,475 | -58% |
| Groceries | $460 | $550 | -16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $105 | +24% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $310 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $5,650 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 168 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Long Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Long Beach is estimated at
$68,000 vs $85,000 in San Francisco.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $100,200 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 59,643 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $140,970 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Long Beach runs warmer on average — a 6.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Long Beach comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | 46.10°F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | 21.00 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 313 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 87.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Long Beach.
From a growth perspective, Long Beach is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 826,079 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Long Beach
Advantages
Median household income stands at $87,430, supporting a stable local purchasing power relative to state baselines.
Exceptional climate featuring 328 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor recreation and coastal activities.
World-class higher education infrastructure anchored by California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Long Beach City College.
Extensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making core districts like Belmont Shore and Downtown highly walkable and bike-friendly.
Diverse and thriving economy driven by international trade at the Port of Long Beach, aerospace, and robust healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices, with average rents exceeding national medians.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries and freeways, particularly related to port freight and commuter transit.
Property crime rates in certain central and urban corridors remain higher than the national average.
State energy taxes and utility costs run noticeably higher than the U.S. average.
Poverty rate sits near 14.3%, indicating income inequality across specific neighborhood pockets.
San Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Long Beach
#579California, USA
45.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$89,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
72
San Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
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