True Cost of Renting in Long Beach
Long Beach is a port city of 460,000 that punches above its weight in terms of neighborhood diversity — from the yacht-friendly Peninsula to the working-class Cambodian-American Phnom Penh district. The Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles together form the nation's busiest port complex, employing tens of thousands of logistics and maritime workers. Rents are meaningfully lower than LA while Metro A Line access provides a car-free commute to Downtown LA.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Belmont Shore
- Studio:
- $1,700/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $2,100/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,900/mo
Beachside walkable neighborhood on 2nd Street; boutique restaurants, beach volleyball, and small apartment buildings. On-street parking is tight — most buildings do not include parking. SCE or LBWP electric depending on exact address. Walk to the beach from most units.
Downtown Long Beach
- Studio:
- $1,500/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,900/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,600/mo
Urban core along Pine Avenue with newer high-rise rentals and converted historic buildings. Metro A Line (Blue) connects to Downtown LA in 60 minutes without a transfer. LBWP electric is historically cheaper than SCE. Parking in building typically $100–150/mo.
Bixby Knolls
- Studio:
- $1,300/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,700/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,300/mo
Established mid-city neighborhood along Atlantic Avenue with craftsman apartment buildings; strong arts scene and excellent value compared to coastal alternatives. Car-recommended but good freeway access to I-405 and I-710.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- Long Beach Water Department / SCE (varies by neighborhood)
- Water
- Long Beach Water Department
- Internet
- Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet
Commute & Transportation
Long Beach connects to the broader LA metro via I-405 (west to LAX area), I-710 (north through Compton to Downtown LA), and I-605 (north to San Gabriel Valley). The Metro A Line (formerly Blue) runs from Downtown Long Beach north through Compton, Watts, and Exposition Park to 7th/Metro Center in DTLA — a 60-minute ride. The Aquabus ferry connects Downtown Long Beach to the Queen Mary and Naples. Port of Long Beach and Port of LA on the Terminal Island complex employ 30,000+ directly and hundreds of thousands in logistics support. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is 5 miles from Downtown.
Rental Market Overview
Long Beach rents are 20–30% below comparable LA neighborhoods, making it popular with port workers, healthcare employees (MemorialCare Medical Center), and remote workers who want more space. The Long Beach Water Department provides electric service in parts of the city at rates significantly lower than SCE, which matters for all-in cost comparisons. AB 1482 caps rent increases on older buildings. The city's own rent control ordinance (LBMC Chapter 8.99) adds local protections on pre-1995 buildings. Security deposits capped at 2 months under state law. Budget $15–20/month for renter's insurance.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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