What housing costs when you move to Long Beach
Zillow's typical home value in Long Beach was $852,391 in September 2026, up 2.4% in a year, and its observed typical rent was $2,412 a month, also up 2.4%. The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 survey puts the median rent paid by current tenants lower, at $1,871, because long-term leases lag the market, and shows 41.2% of homes owner-occupied, so most households rent.
| Monthly cost, typical Long Beach home | Estimate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage principal and interest | About $4,647 | 20% down on $852,391 (Zillow, Sept 2026), 30-year fixed at 7.24% (Freddie Mac, Oct 29, 2026) |
| Property tax | About $887 | $852,391 less the $7,000 homeowners' exemption, at 1.259025% (sample Long Beach tax rate area, 2026-27) |
| Typical market rent | $2,412 | Zillow observed rent, Sept 2026 |
Add homeowners insurance, any HOA dues and utilities. These are our calculations; your lender's quote and your tax rate area will differ. Prices by area are on the Long Beach neighborhoods page, and broader costs on the Long Beach cost of living page.
Renting first: what Long Beach tenants pay by ZIP
Renting for six to twelve months lets you learn the city before you buy. The Census Bureau's median gross rent, which includes utilities paid by the tenant, varies by more than $850 a month across Long Beach ZIP codes. These are medians of all current leases in the 2020-2024 survey, so a new lease will usually cost more; use them to compare areas, not to set a budget.
| ZIP | Areas it includes | Median gross rent | Owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90802 | Downtown, East Village, Alamitos Beach | $1,968 | 21.0% |
| 90803 | Belmont Shore, Naples, the Peninsula | $2,154 | 44.1% |
| 90804 | Rose Park, Zaferia area | $1,860 | 21.9% |
| 90805 | North Long Beach | $1,724 | 42.1% |
| 90807 | Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos | $1,947 | 57.0% |
| 90808 | East Long Beach near El Dorado Park | $2,490 | 82.5% |
| 90813 | Central Long Beach west of downtown's core | $1,618 | 15.1% |
| 90814 | Belmont Heights, Bluff Park area | $2,052 | 33.5% |
| 90815 | Los Altos and the area around Cal State Long Beach | $2,372 | 64.9% |
Source: Census ACS 2020-2024, by ZIP code tabulation area. ZIPs where few homes are rented, such as 90808, have fewer rentals to choose from. California's statewide rent cap and just-cause rules apply to many Long Beach apartments; ask a landlord whether your unit is covered before you sign. For ZIP sale prices, see the Long Beach ZIP code guide.
Moving costs into Long Beach
Movers for a Long Beach move
Get at least three written estimates after a video or in-home survey, and ask whether each is binding. A mover working within California should give you its California household goods mover permit number; one crossing state lines should give you its USDOT number. Ask how the crew will handle stairs, elevators and long carries, which are common in Long Beach's downtown towers and older walk-up buildings, and whether the estimate includes them.
Parking the truck in Long Beach
Street parking is tight in parts of Long Beach, parking-impacted neighborhoods can have preferential parking permit zones, and streets have posted sweeping hours. Check the curb signs on moving day, ask the building or HOA where a truck can stand, and call the city's public parking information line, 562-570-8055, if you are unsure. A ticket or tow on moving day is an avoidable cost.
Deposits and up-front costs
Budget for a security deposit and first month's rent if you rent, or for closing costs if you buy; our California closing costs guide lists them. Utility accounts may ask for a deposit too, so check the Long Beach Utilities rates and fees page when you open service.
A timeline for moving to Long Beach
Two to three months before the move
Decide whether to rent first or buy. If you buy, get preapproved by a lender and look at neighborhoods on weekday evenings and weekends; beach areas such as Belmont Shore change a lot in summer. If you rent, line up references and proof of income, since landlords in a tight market move fast.
Four to six weeks before
Book movers, start school enrollment if anyone in the household will attend school (see below), and schedule utility start dates. If you are buying, order inspections early: the median Long Beach home was built in 1959 (Census ACS 2020-2024), so sewer-line and electrical checks are worth doing on most homes.
Moving week
Confirm parking for the truck, transfer or open utilities, take meter photos, and change your address with the U.S. Postal Service. Keep your closing documents and lease together; you will need them as proof of residence.
The first 20 days after you arrive
Register any out-of-state vehicle within 20 days, apply for a California driver's license, register to vote at your new address, and, if you bought, file for the homeowners' exemption. Each step is covered below.
Setting up utilities in Long Beach
Water, sewer and natural gas: Long Beach Utilities
In Long Beach the city itself supplies natural gas. Long Beach Utilities provides water, sewer and natural gas, so most homes have one city account for all three. The main customer line is (562) 570-2300; gas emergencies go to (562) 570-2140 and water or sewer emergencies to (562) 570-2390. Bills are paid and, since November 2025, viewed on the city's MyUtility Portal.
Electricity: Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison supplies electricity in Long Beach. Start service through SCE's online Move Center a week or two before you arrive, and ask about time-of-use plans, which change what you pay by hour of the day.
Trash, recycling and organics: City of Long Beach
The city's Energy and Environmental Services Department collects trash, recycling and organics for about 120,000 residential and commercial customers, so most houses do not choose a hauler. Find your collection day on the Long Beach Recycles site and put carts out by 6 a.m. Bulky items go through the special collection request page.
Internet service in Long Beach
Providers vary by building. Check the FCC's National Broadband Map for the address, then ask the landlord or HOA which providers already wire the building. In older multi-unit buildings, the choice may be limited.
Driver's license, vehicle registration and voting
California driver's license
The DMV says you are a California resident if you intend to live in the state for six months or more in a year, and that a resident who drives must apply for a California license. Apply online first, then visit an office with your identity and residency documents. Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID or another accepted document to board domestic flights.
Vehicle registration
A vehicle registered in another state must be registered in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into the state, according to the DMV. Ask the DMV whether your car needs a smog check before registration.
Registering to vote in Long Beach
Register online at the Secretary of State's registertovote.ca.gov site. Elections in Long Beach are run by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, which lists vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Re-register whenever you move within the city.
Filing the homeowners' exemption in Los Angeles County
What the exemption saves in Long Beach
California's homeowners' exemption cuts $7,000 from the taxable value of a home that is your main residence on January 1. At a sample Long Beach tax rate of 1.259025% for 2026-27, that saves about $88 a year. It is small, but it is free and it carries forward each year.
How and when to file in Los Angeles County
File the claim form (BOE-266) with the Los Angeles County Assessor. To get the full exemption for a year, file by February 15. The Assessor's help line is 213-974-3211. Our Los Angeles County property tax guide covers deadlines, appeals and supplemental bills.
Supplemental tax bills after you buy
When you buy, the county reassesses the home at the purchase price and sends one or more supplemental bills for the rest of the fiscal year. They go to you, not your lender, so set money aside. If you are 55 or older and selling a home elsewhere in California, see our Prop 19 guide on moving your tax base.
Earthquake, tsunami and fire preparation
Sign up for Alert Long Beach
The city's Alert Long Beach system sends emergency alerts by text, voice call or email. Sign up the week you arrive, for your home and work addresses.
Earthquake preparation and the CEA
The city calls an earthquake the most probable disaster for Long Beach, and the 1933 Long Beach earthquake is part of its history. Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude earthquake damage; the California Earthquake Authority sells separate policies through participating insurers. See our earthquake insurance guide. The city asks households to be ready to look after themselves for up to five days.
Tsunami zones on the Long Beach coast
If you live near the water, from the Peninsula and Naples to Belmont Shore and downtown, look up your tsunami hazard area on the California Geological Survey maps and plan a walking route inland. The city held a tsunami walk and preparedness fair in April 2026.
CAL FIRE zone and home insurance
Long Beach is a built-up coastal city, but check the CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zone for your address; it appears on the natural hazard disclosure when you buy, and insurers use it. Shop insurance before you remove contingencies. Our homeowners insurance guide explains the market, including the FAIR Plan.
Enrolling in Long Beach Unified schools
Long Beach Unified School District serves the city. Find the school assigned to an address with the district's School Finder, then confirm with the district, since boundaries change; we never state which school a home is zoned for. Enrollment is online, with documents uploaded to the registration portal or taken to the school of residence. The district asks for two proofs of residence (such as a lease, property tax receipt or utility statement), an immunization record, and proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport for first-time students. LBUSD also runs school-of-choice applications for elementary, middle and high school. District offices are at 1515 Hughes Way, Long Beach, CA 90810, (562) 997-8000. For school data, see our Long Beach schools guide and the California School Dashboard.
Getting around after you move
Commuting from Long Beach
Long Beach workers who leave home for work average 29.9 minutes each way, 66.8% drive alone and 16.2% work from home (Census ACS 2020-2024). The 405, 710 and 91 freeways cross the city and the 605 runs along its east edge, so test your commute at rush hour from any home you are considering before you sign a lease or make an offer.
Transit and the airport
Long Beach Transit runs the city's buses and lists routes, fares and student programs on its site. The Metro A Line light rail runs from downtown Long Beach north through Wrigley toward Los Angeles. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is inside the city, east of California Heights, which helps frequent flyers; ask about flight paths and noise if you are buying close to it.
Your first month in Long Beach: a checklist
- Utilities: Long Beach Utilities account for water, sewer and gas; SCE for power; find your trash day.
- Parking: check your street's sweeping hours and whether you need a preferential parking permit.
- DMV: register vehicles within 20 days and apply for a California license.
- Voting: register at your new address.
- Property tax: if you bought, file the homeowners' exemption and budget for supplemental bills.
- Safety: sign up for Alert Long Beach, look up your tsunami and flood zones, and build a five-day kit.
- Pets: license dogs with the city, one of the in-person services it lists.
- Getting around: Long Beach Transit runs city buses, including its free downtown Passport service, the Metro A Line connects downtown with Los Angeles, and Long Beach Airport (LGB) is in the city.
- Records: keep your lease or closing papers and two recent utility bills in one folder; the DMV, the school district and the county all ask for proof of residence.
- Home: test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, find the gas shutoff and the water main, and note the Long Beach Utilities gas emergency number.
For crime data by year, see our Long Beach crime data guide.