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City Report · CA

Long Beach

Pop. 455,548·267th most expensive in California·Long Beach rents are up 8.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,448/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.2%
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
+$486
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Long Beach · $2,448
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
58/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Long Beach's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,448/mo
Expected by trend
$2,546/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Long Beach's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,864
1 BR
$2,095
2 BR
$2,645
3 BR
$3,372
4 BR+
$3,733
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,645/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,448 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$29,376/yr
At $2,448/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.2% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Long Beach, CA is majority renter-occupied, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
455,548
Median income
$87,430
Median age
37.1
Renters
58.8%
Age distribution
19.9%
26.6%
27.5%
12.5%
13.5%
Under 1819.9%
18–3426.6%
35–5427.5%
55–6412.5%
65+13.5%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
38.3%
43.8%
13.1%
White38.3%
Black11.8%
Hispanic43.8%
Asian13.1%
Education (25+)
17.6%
18.3%
28.5%
35.6%
No HS diploma17.6%
HS diploma18.3%
Some college28.5%
Bachelor's+35.6%
Housing tenure
41.2%
58.8%
Owner41.2%
Renter58.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Long Beach, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,862 → $2,448
up 31.5%
Income
$71,150 → $87,430
up 22.9%
Population
466,565 → 455,548
down 2.4%
Renter share
59.5% → 58.8%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
32.8% → 35.6%
+2.8 pts
Median age
35.9 → 37.1
+1.2 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Long Beach, CA has shifted from $1,862 to $2,448, up 31.5% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $87,430 today, compared with $71,150 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Long Beach, CA losing about 11,017 residents over the five-year window, down 2.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 32.8% to 35.6% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Long Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Long Beach on your salary?

At $2,448/mo, how Long Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Long Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Long Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Long Beach

About renting in Long Beach, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Long Beach is $2,448/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,864/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,645/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,095/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,372/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($87,430/yr), Long Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Long Beach an affordable city for renters?

Long Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $2,448/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($87,430/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Long Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Long Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,448/mo in Long Beach. The local median household income is $87,430/yr, meaning the typical Long Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Long Beach?

Rent in Long Beach has increased 8.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Long Beach neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Long Beach are 90806 ($1,865/mo), 90813 ($1,895/mo), and 90810 ($2,010/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Long Beach is $2,448/mo.

How does Long Beach rent compare to other cities in California?

Long Beach is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #267 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,448/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Long Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Long Beach ($2,448/mo): Compton ($2,344/mo), Bellflower ($2,372/mo).

What percentage of Long Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.8% of Long Beach households are renters, while 41.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Long Beach has a strong rental market.

How does Long Beach rent compare to the national average?

Long Beach's median rent of $2,448/mo is $486 (25%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #267 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,448/mo, rent takes ~34% of Long Beach's median household income ($87,430/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Long Beach 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Long Beach affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Long Beach, CA

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