CostIndexUSA

Kalamazoo, MI vs Long Beach, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Long Beach
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Kalamazoo is significantly cheaper than Long Beach — 19.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kalamazoo, you would need $95,900 in Long Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+108.8%
Kalamazoo
81.6
Long Beach
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.8%
Kalamazoo
93.7
Long Beach
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.9%
Kalamazoo
104.5
Long Beach
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.8%
Kalamazoo
94.6
Long Beach
99.1
Utilities+59.7%
Kalamazoo
99.3
Long Beach
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kalamazoo to see what you'd need to earn in Long Beach to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Long Beach, CA
$95,900
$15,900 more needed in Long Beach

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 94.8) = salary × 1.1983. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Long Beach, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Long Beach has 108.8% higher housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Long Beach, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
466,742
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingEntertainmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Long Beach, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.