Quick answer
Long Beach costs $45/month less overall ($2,615 vs $2,660/mo). But Seattle's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $7,440/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Long Beach vs Seattle
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Long Beach vs Seattle at a Glance
| Metric | Long Beach | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $2,050 ✓ | $2,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,650 ✓ | $2,750 |
| Median Home Price | $825K | $780K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $130 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $400 ✓ | $430 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,615 ✓ | $2,660 |
| Walk Score | 76/100 ✓ | 74/100 |
| Transit Score | 72/100 ✓ | 59/100 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Long Beach's 1BR averages $2,050/month vs $2,100 in Seattle — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Seattle charges None state income tax vs 9.3% in Long Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $7,440/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $11,160 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Seattle are $780K vs $825K in Long Beach. At a 20% down payment, that's a $9,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Long Beach utilities run $35 more per month than Seattle. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Seattle, WA
Seattle's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Long Beach
Year-round mild: 60-70°F average. Rarely freezes; minimal rain (12 inches/year). Marine layer mornings (May-August) bring overcast, cool conditions until afternoon clearing.
Seattle
Mild and overcast Oct–May with frequent drizzle (rarely below 35°F); warm sunny summers rarely above 90°F — September and October are the best months
Job Market
Long Beach top industries
Seattle top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Long Beach if…
- →You're a Port/logistics workers
- →You're a People who want beach access without LA's sprawl
- →You're a Artists and creative types seeking community and affordability
- →You're a Anyone wanting California weather without SF or San Diego prices
- →You want to live without a car
Move to Seattle if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a high earners
- →You're a coffee aficionados
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Long Beach is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,615 in Long Beach vs $2,660 in Seattle — a $45/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Long Beach or Seattle?
Long Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 76/100 vs 74/100. Seattle is more car-dependent.
Long Beach vs Seattle: which has lower state income tax?
Seattle has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $7,440/year vs Long Beach (9.3%).
Is Long Beach or Seattle better for buying a home?
Seattle has lower median home prices at $780K vs $825K in Long Beach — a $45,000 difference on the median home.