City Comparison
Long Beach vs San Jose
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Jose scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
San Jose
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Long Beach is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in San Jose.
Housing costs are a major driver: Long Beach's average rent is
44% lower than San Jose's.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Jose | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $3,395 | -44% |
| Groceries | $460 | $480 | -4% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $140 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $270 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $4,480 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 175 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Jose 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 $95,000 in San Jose.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $95,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 65,714 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $146,427 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | 61.70°F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | 43.20°F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | 20.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 1.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 319 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Long Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Long Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose 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 Jose has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Long Beach | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 989,814 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.10% |
| 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 Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial corridors.
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 Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
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