What it costs to buy in Long Beach in 2026 — real market data, the Port of Long Beach, Boeing, and CSULB employment anchors, Downtown to Belmont Shore neighborhood breakdowns, and genuinely strong transaction volume.
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Long Beach combines one of the busiest ports in the Western Hemisphere with a large public university and genuinely strong transaction volume — 700 homes sold in the latest period, among the highest in this entire guide series.
The Port of Long Beach handles trade valued at more than $140 billion annually and supports roughly 30,000 local jobs directly, making it the city's defining economic anchor. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and the Long Beach Unified School District add substantial education-sector employment, while Boeing remains the city's largest private employer, a legacy of the city's long aerospace history as home to Douglas Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas.
The median sale price is $899,405, up a solid 5.8% year over year, while price per square foot dipped 2.2% to $619. Redfin scores the market 63/100, "Somewhat Competitive," with a typical 3 offers per home and a 99.8% sale-to-list ratio.
Census data puts Long Beach's median household income at $87,430, with a 41.2% owner-occupied rate.
Roman has helped buyers close on homes throughout Los Angeles County, California. Tell him your Long Beach price range and timeline.
Long Beach pricing varies considerably by neighborhood, from the walkable, beach-adjacent Belmont Shore to more attainable North and Central Long Beach.
| Home Type | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Condo / townhome | $400,000 – $650,000 | Entry point, concentrated Downtown and near the beach |
| Standard single-family (Central/North Long Beach) | $650,000 – $950,000 | Established, centrally located neighborhoods |
| Bixby Knolls / Los Altos | $850,000 – $1,200,000 | Mid-century tract homes, family-oriented |
| Belmont Shore / Naples | $1,400,000 – $2,800,000+ | The city's most prestigious beach-adjacent neighborhoods, including Naples' canals |
Long Beach's median sale price was $899,405 in August 2026, up a solid 5.8% year over year, while price per square foot dipped 2.2% to $619. Homes are taking a median of 43 days to sell, seven days faster than a year ago, with 700 homes sold, up 5.0% year over year — among the highest sales volumes in this entire guide series. Redfin scores the market 63/100, "Somewhat Competitive," with a 99.8% average sale-to-list ratio and a typical 3 offers per home.
| Metric | Long Beach (last 3 mo.) | Year-Over-Year |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $899,405 | +5.8% |
| Median price per sq ft | $619 | -2.2% |
| Homes sold | 700 | +5.0% |
| Median days on market | 43 days | -7 days |
Source: Redfin housing market data, August 2026. Figures reflect the trailing 3-month period and change year over year; local market conditions vary by neighborhood and property type.
Long Beach's neighborhoods range from the canal-lined, ultra-premium Naples and walkable Belmont Shore to the more attainable Bixby Knolls and North Long Beach.
Related: See current Long Beach listings and Roman's local track record
What you get at each price point, and what Roman's flat fee saves you versus a traditional 2.5% buyer's agent commission at that price.
Long Beach's cost of living runs close to the broader Los Angeles County average, with a solid household income base and genuinely strong transaction volume reflecting a deep, active market.
Long Beach's median household income is $87,430 (DataUSA, 2024 estimate), up 4.12% from the prior year, with a 41.2% owner-occupied rate — about 73.5% of those homeowners carry a mortgage.
Standard California sales tax applies, with Long Beach's own local add-on bringing the total rate to 10.25%. HOA costs are a real factor for Downtown and beach-adjacent condo buyers, while most single-family neighborhoods carry little or none.
Long Beach is served by the Metro A Line light rail to Downtown LA, along with I-405, I-710, and the 91 freeway, plus a genuinely walkable Downtown and Belmont Shore.
The Metro A Line (Blue Line) runs directly from Downtown Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles, a genuine rail alternative to driving. I-405, I-710, and the 91 Freeway provide broader regional access, though all can be heavily congested at peak hours given the port's substantial truck traffic.
Downtown Long Beach and Belmont Shore support real walkability, while much of the rest of the city is more car-dependent.
Long Beach has a mild Mediterranean coastal climate — winter lows average around 46°F, while August highs average around 81°F, moderated by ocean proximity. Annual rainfall runs around 14 inches, concentrated between November and March.
That genuinely mild, coastal climate is a real lifestyle draw, particularly for buyers comparing against the hotter San Fernando Valley or Inland Empire cities in this guide series.
The Port of Long Beach anchors a massive-scale logistics and trade employment base, alongside CSULB, Boeing, and a significant regional healthcare presence.
The Port of Long Beach handles trade valued at more than $140 billion annually and supports roughly 30,000 local jobs directly, making it one of the most significant single economic anchors in this entire guide series. California State University, Long Beach adds substantial education-sector employment, Boeing remains the city's largest private employer as a legacy of its long aerospace history, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and the VA Long Beach Healthcare System add significant regional healthcare jobs.
Given this genuinely diverse employment base, Long Beach works well for buyers with a logistics, education, aerospace, or healthcare career locally, and remains workable for commuters targeting elsewhere in the Los Angeles or Orange County basin — confirm your own situation either way.
Long Beach sits atop the Newport-Inglewood Fault and has a documented history of major seismic activity, alongside a legacy oil industry that shaped the city's development.
| Risk Type | Local Rating | Typical Insurance Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake (Newport-Inglewood Fault) | Elevated — the 1933 Long Beach earthquake (M6.4) killed 120 people | $800 – $2,500+/yr (separate policy); confirm retrofitting status on older multi-family buildings |
| Soft-story building risk (older multi-family) | A documented citywide concern — roughly 3,226 buildings identified for retrofit | Confirm retrofit status on any multi-family purchase |
| Legacy oil field subsidence (localized) | Site-specific, tied to historic Long Beach oil field | Confirm any ground-stability disclosures for specific parcels |
Long Beach is served by the Long Beach Unified School District, with Polytechnic High School rated a strong 7/10 on GreatSchools.
| School | Level | GreatSchools Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polytechnic High School | 9-12 | |
| Wilson Classical High School | 9-12 | |
| Long Beach Unified School District (elementary/middle, varies) | K-8 |
HOA coverage in Long Beach varies sharply by housing type: most single-family homes in Bixby Knolls, Belmont Shore, and North Long Beach carry little or no HOA, while Downtown high-rise condos typically run $350 to $700 per month.
Property tax follows the usual roughly 1.1% to 1.3% of assessed value annually, reassessed to your purchase price at close. Older multi-family buildings should be checked for soft-story retrofit status, a documented citywide seismic-safety concern.
On a $899,405 Long Beach home (this market's current median), here's the traditional-vs-flat-fee comparison.
| Cost Item | Traditional Buyer | With Roman (Flat Fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer's agent commission (2.5%) | $22,485 | $7,250 flat fee |
| Closing costs (escrow, title, recording) | ~$4,500 – $7,500 | ~$4,500 – $7,500 |
| Home inspection | $400 – $750 | $400 – $750 |
| Loan origination / lender fees | Varies by lender | Varies by lender |
| Net cost after flat fee credit | $22,485 (agent side) | $7,250 — you keep the ~$15,235 difference |
Related: Closing Cost Credit Explained · Buyer Rebate Explained
At the current median, Long Beach purchases fall comfortably within conforming loan limits, including most Central Long Beach and Bixby Knolls homes. Budget roughly 1.5% to 2% of the purchase price for closing costs, and prepare for a genuinely active market — Redfin's 63/100 Compete Score and 3-offer average mean well-prepared buyers move fastest, especially given 700 homes sold in the latest period alone.
Roman's flat fee stays fixed at $7,250 under $1.5M, which covers the substantial majority of Long Beach inventory, with the credit difference applied at closing toward closing costs or a rate buydown.
The same core steps apply anywhere in California, but Long Beach's Long Beach's 63/100 Compete Score and 3-offer average mean a genuinely active market — come prepared with strong financing and clean terms, especially given the city's high transaction volume.
Related: Flat Fee vs. Traditional Agent · 2024 NAR Settlement Guide
First-time buyers in Long Beach generally find realistic entry points across condos and North or Central Long Beach tract homes, where 3% – 5% down conventional and FHA financing remain usable — a genuinely active, accessible market given the city's high transaction volume.
Roman's first step with most first-time Long Beach buyers is confirming financing strength and readiness to move quickly given the 63/100 Compete Score and 3-offer average.
Related: Mortgage & Financing Basics
Condos and townhomes offer the most attainable entry point, generally $400K to $650K, concentrated Downtown and near the beach.
Single-family homes range from North and Central Long Beach's more attainable tract homes to Belmont Shore and Naples' premium, beach-adjacent properties. Because the city spans over a century of development and includes significant older multi-family stock, always confirm construction era and any soft-story retrofit status carefully.
Downtown Long Beach represents the city's most active new-construction corridor, with high-rise and mid-rise condo development continuing. Most established single-family neighborhoods are largely built out, with new construction limited to individual infill.
Roman can help evaluate builder incentives, HOA obligations, and soft-story retrofit disclosures for any Long Beach property you're considering.
Related: New Construction Tips
Roman responds to every inquiry within one business day. Tell him your Long Beach price range and timeline and he will walk you through the flat fee model, your exact savings, and next steps.
Long Beach Homebuyer Guide
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Roman Doktorovich · DRE #01441969 · Real Brokerage Technologies Inc.