New York vs Long Beach: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in New York, New York compare to Long Beach, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Long Beach is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 3% higher in New York compared to Long Beach, while rent is 1% higher. State income tax is 10.9% in NY vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | New York, NY | Long Beach, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $732,100 | $709,700 | +3.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,714 | $1,698 | +0.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $76,607 | $78,995 | -3.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $48,066 | $39,589 | +21.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 10.9% | 13.3% | -18.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.5% | 8.7% | -1.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 8,622,467 | 462,293 | +1765.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — New York
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Long Beach
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in New York costs $732,100 compared to $709,700 in Long Beach — a 3% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,714/mo in New York vs $1,698/mo in Long Beach.
- Income: Median household income is $76,607 in New York and $78,995 in Long Beach.
- Taxes: State income tax is 10.9% in New York vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).