🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,427 in Redding, CA versus $3,321 in Long Beach, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,495 in Redding, CA versus $4,753 in Long Beach, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,563 in Redding, CA versus $6,185 in Long Beach, CA.
🙂Living in Redding, CA costs roughly 27% less than in Long Beach, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Redding, CA81% above, Long Beach, CA148% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.20$18.20
$18.04$18.04
0.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.2$59.2
$80.2$80.2
-26.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.16$12.16
$14.71$14.71
-17.34%
Cappuccino
$4.95$4.95
$5.08$5.08
-2.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42$2.42
$3.05$3.05
-20.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26$2.26
$2.20$2.20
2.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.66$5.66
$7.41$7.41
-23.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.06$5.06
$7.96$7.96
-36.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33$1.33
$1.13$1.13
17.70%
White Bread(500g)
$4.83$4.83
$4.11$4.11
17.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.27$4.27
$4.35$4.35
-1.84%
Eggs
$3.96$3.96
$3.82$3.82
3.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.33$12.33
$12.36$12.36
-0.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.07$15.07
$12.60$12.60
19.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.99$16.99
$15.15$15.15
12.15%
Apples(1kg)
$5.79$5.79
$4.59$4.59
26.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.69$1.69
$1.65$1.65
2.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.58$3.58
$3.89$3.89
-7.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.45$5.45
$4.77$4.77
14.26%
Potato(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$2.98$2.98
52.01%
Onion(1kg)
$3.50$3.50
$2.43$2.43
44.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.19$2.19
$2.09$2.09
4.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74$1.74
$2.17$2.17
-19.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.20$10.20
$10.95$10.95
-6.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.03$12.03
$14.78$14.78
-18.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47$1.47
$1.74$1.74
-15.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29$3.29
$2.53$2.53
30.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.48$1.48
$1.78$1.78
-16.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.6$50.6
$69.2$69.2
-26.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.08$3.08
$2.96$2.96
4.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.37$2.37
$4.23$4.23
-43.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.71$40.71
$27.93$27.93
45.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26$1.26
$1.24$1.24
1.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.0K$24.0K
$25.4K$25.4K
-5.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K$26.3K
$26.7K$26.7K
-1.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$278$278
$155$155
79.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.5$52.5
$53.2$53.2
-1.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.2$72.2
$58.1$58.1
24.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.8$56.8
$39.66$39.66
43.09%
Cinema Ticket
$8.86$8.86
$14.88$14.88
-40.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,733$2,733
$1,526$1,526
79.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$38.0K$38.0K
$28.3K$28.3K
34.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.9$62.9
$48.36$48.36
30.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.61$32.61
$34.20$34.20
-4.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0$83.0
$98.9$98.9
-16.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126$126
$101$101
24.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,287$1,287
$2,380$2,380
-45.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,068$1,068
$2,123$2,123
-49.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,875$1,875
$3,618$3,618
-48.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,598$1,598
$3,317$3,317
-51.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,711$2,711
$7,099$7,099
-61.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,646$2,646
$6,832$6,832
-61.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Redding, CA
Long Beach, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,576$3,576
$4,352$4,352
-17.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
6.39
2.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Redding, CA: April 26, 2026
Last update for Long Beach, CA: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,287 in Redding, CA and $2,380 in Long Beach, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Long Beach, CA pays 22% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $59.0 in Redding, CA vs $80.0 in Long Beach, CA. Groceries flip the comparison at $427 vs $394, with Long Beach, CA cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Redding, CA vs Long Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Redding, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Redding, CA and Long Beach, CA differ by about 37% in total monthly costs ($2,427 vs $3,321 including rent). Redding, CA is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Long Beach, CA earns 22% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Redding, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,287 in Redding, CA versus $2,380 in Long Beach, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Redding, CA – a meal for two runs $59.0 versus $80.0 in Long Beach, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Redding, CA or Long Beach, CA?
All in, you'll spend $2,427 per month in Redding, CA versus $3,321 in Long Beach, CA – a 37% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Redding, CA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Redding, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Redding, CA or Long Beach, CA?
Expats usually find Redding, CA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 37% less than in Long Beach, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Redding, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared