CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Long Beach, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
Long Beach
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Lancaster is significantly cheaper than Long Beach — 15.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $92,400 in Long Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+81.7%
Lancaster
93.8
Long Beach
170.4
🛒 Groceries+5.9%
Lancaster
100.7
Long Beach
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Lancaster
102.6
Long Beach
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.8%
Lancaster
92.8
Long Beach
99.1
Utilities+47.8%
Lancaster
107.3
Long Beach
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Long Beach, CA
$92,400
$12,400 more needed in Long Beach

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 1.1556. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

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 81.7% higher housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.