Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Long Beach?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Long Beach, CA's $1,960, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Long Beach?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $65,000 in Long Beach.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Long Beach?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Long Beach under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Long Beach Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/mo est.

Long Beach

California

$1,960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,960 in Long Beach, CA. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Long Beach, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $83,969 in Long Beach, CA — about 29% higher in Long Beach, CA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Long Beach, CA

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,447

+38% in Long Beach, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,634

+52% in Long Beach, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,979

+46% in Long Beach, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$2,360

+52% in Long Beach, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$762,200

+248% in Long Beach, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$83,969

+41% in Long Beach, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$55,850

+5% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

36.8 yr

+0.7 yr in Long Beach, CA

Homeownership

47.5%

40.9%

+6.6 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

34.8%

+0.6 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

30.0 min

+0.6 min in Long Beach, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

690

+57% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,584.4

+15% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

64.7°F

+3.3°F in Long Beach, CA

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

12.3 in

+30.2 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$5.89/gal

+37% in Long Beach, CA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Los Angeles.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.25

+38% in Baltimore, MD

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs Long Beach Transit (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

35.9

33.4

+7% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.19

$20.72

+21% in Long Beach, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Long Beach, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Long Beach, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Long Beach, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Long Beach, CA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Long Beach, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Long Beach, CA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / CA)

7.25%

+1.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

13.30%

+6.8 pp in CA

Baltimore vs Long Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Long Beach?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Long Beach, CA's $1,960, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Long Beach?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $65,000 in Long Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Long Beach?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Long Beach under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).