Long Beach vs Redmond

Category / Metric	Long Beach	Redmond
Financial Overview
Median Income	$81,606	$172,979
Unemployment Rate	5%	4%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$895,000	$1,350,000
Price per SqFt	$615	$625
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$1,864
Housing Cost Index	173.0	151.5
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	107.9	107.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.98	$3.65
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	587.0	372.1
Bachelor's Degree+	37%	76%
Air Quality (AQI)	52	45

Long Beach vs. Redmond: A Head-to-Head Relocation Showdown

Choosing between Long Beach and Redmond isn't just picking a zip code; it's choosing between two entirely different American dreams. One is a sun-soaked, gritty, and vibrant coastal metropolis. The other is a meticulously planned, tech-fueled, and family-first suburban enclave. As your relocation expert, I’ve crunched the numbers, walked the streets (virtually and physically), and lived the lifestyles to give you the unfiltered truth.

Let’s settle this.

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The Vibe Check: Where Do You Fit In?

Long Beach is the soul of Southern California's working-class coastline. It’s a sprawling, diverse city of nearly 450,000 people that feels like a dozen neighborhoods stitched together. You’ll find world-class art installations next to dive bars, a historic Queen Mary beside a massive shipping port, and a LGBTQ+ community that’s been thriving for decades. The vibe is eclectic, unpretentious, and fiercely proud. It’s for the artist, the musician, the foodie, the activist, and the person who wants city energy without the Manhattan price tag (though it’s getting close).

Redmond is the polished, high-tech heart of Microsoft's backyard. With a population of just 80,000, it’s more of a large town than a city. The vibe here is clean, quiet, and hyper-efficient. It’s family-centric, with top-tier schools, manicured parks, and a downtown that feels more like a corporate campus than a bohemian district. The air smells of rain and coffee, and the most exciting weekend activity might be a hike in the nearby Cascade foothills. It’s for the engineer, the project manager, the family seeking stability, and the person who values safety and order above all else.

The Verdict: If you crave culture, chaos, and coastal energy, Long Beach is your jam. If you prefer order, nature, and a structured community, Redmond is your safe bet.

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The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Feel Bigger?

This is where the rubber meets the road. You might earn a tech salary in Redmond, but you’re spending it on a $1.35 million median home. In Long Beach, the median home is $895,000—a staggering difference, though both are in the "ouch" category. Let's break down the cost of living and see where your paycheck actually goes further.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Category	Long Beach	Redmond	The Takeaway
Median Home Price	$895,000	$1,350,000	Redmond's housing is 51% more expensive. Sticker shock is real.
Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$1,864	Surprisingly, rent is slightly cheaper in Redmond. A rare win.
Housing Index	173.0	151.5	Long Beach is 14% more expensive for housing overall.
Median Income	$81,606	$172,979	Redmond's income is over 2x Long Beach's. Context is key.
State Income Tax	9.3% (CA)	0% (WA)	A massive advantage for Redmond. This is huge for high earners.

The Purchasing Power Paradox:
Here’s the head-scratcher. Redmond’s median income is $172,979—that’s 112% higher than Long Beach’s $81,606. However, the housing index is only 14% higher. This means that, on a relative scale, your salary buys you more in Redmond.

Let’s run the numbers. If you earn $100,000 in Long Beach, you’d need to earn about $125,000 in Redmond just to maintain the same standard of living. But if you’re earning a tech salary—say $150,000—that 0% state income tax in Washington becomes a massive wealth-building tool. In California, that same $150,000 salary would be hit with a 9.3% state tax (roughly $14,000 less in your pocket annually).

Insight: For a mid-to-high-income earner (especially in tech), Redmond offers superior purchasing power despite the higher home prices. The lack of a state income tax is a game-changer that can offset housing costs over time. In Long Beach, your money goes fast, and taxes take a bigger bite.

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The Housing Market: To Buy or To Rent?

Long Beach: The market is red-hot and competitive. With a median price of $895,000, you're looking at a classic California seller's market. Bidding wars are common, and inventory is tight. Renting is the only option for many, and even that is expensive. The $2,006 rent for a 1BR is a steal compared to LA or San Francisco, but it’s still a heavy lift on a median income of $81,606. Expect to spend over 30% of your gross income on housing.

Redmond: This is a seller's market on steroids. The median home price of $1,350,000 is daunting, but the competition is fierce due to the concentrated wealth of the tech sector. You’re not just competing with locals; you’re competing with Microsoft and Amazon stock options. Renting ($1,864) is a more viable entry point, and it’s slightly cheaper than Long Beach. However, the rental market is also tight, with high demand from well-paid professionals.

Verdict: Renting is the more accessible path in both cities, but Redmond has a slight edge on rental affordability (by a few dollars). Buying is a monumental challenge in either location unless you have significant capital or dual high incomes. Redmond’s higher price tag is offset by higher earning potential and no state income tax, but the barrier to entry is still sky-high.

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The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

• Long Beach: A nightmare. Situated in the Los Angeles metro, you’re dealing with the 405, 710, and I-5. Commutes to downtown LA can be 45-90 minutes in traffic. The city itself is sprawling, so getting from one side to another can take time. Public transit (Metro Blue Line) is an option, but it’s crowded and slow.
• Redmond: Manageable, but not great. You’re in the Seattle metro, so the 405 and 520 are your main arteries. Commutes to Seattle can be 30-60 minutes with traffic. The city is more compact, so local errands are easier. Traffic is a regional issue, not a local one.

Weather

• Long Beach: 57°F average. Mediterranean climate. Dry summers, mild winters. You get ~345 days of sunshine. The tradeoff? It’s dry (droughts) and fire season can be stressful. No snow, but you might get a heavy rainstorm.
• Redmond: 48°F average. Pacific Northwest marine climate. Cool, damp, and grey for much of the year (~150 cloudy days). Summers are glorious (dry, 70s-80s), but the "Big Dark" from November to March is real and can affect mood. Snow is rare but possible.

Crime & Safety

• Long Beach: Violent Crime: 587.0/100k. This is 65% higher than the U.S. average. Safety varies drastically by neighborhood. Areas like Belmont Shore are safe; others near downtown or the port are less so. You must be neighborhood-aware.
• Redmond: Violent Crime: 372.1/100k. This is ~20% below the U.S. average. It’s consistently ranked one of the safest cities in Washington. You can generally feel safe walking at night in most areas.

The Verdict: For weather lovers, Long Beach wins. For safety and a less stressful commute (if you work locally), Redmond wins. The crime disparity is significant and a major factor for families.

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The Final Verdict: Who Wins This Showdown?

There’s no universal winner, only the right city for your life stage and priorities. Here’s the breakdown:

Winner For...	City	Why
Families	Redmond	Top-tier schools, low crime, abundant parks, and a strong sense of community. The higher cost is offset by safety and stability.
Singles/Young Pros	Long Beach	More affordable rent, vibrant nightlife, diverse dating pool, and endless cultural events. The energy is unmatched.
Retirees	Redmond	Low crime, great healthcare (Providence, Overlake), and a peaceful environment. The lack of state income tax is a huge plus on fixed income.

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The Final Call: Pros & Cons

Long Beach: The Coastal Chameleon

PROS:

• Unbeatable Culture: A true melting pot with art, food, and festivals year-round.
• Weather: Sunny and mild almost every day. No shoveling snow.
• Major City Amenities: World-class airports (LAX, LGB), ports, and proximity to all of Southern California.
• Rent Cheaper than LA: You get the LA vibe without the extreme price tag.

CONS:

• High Crime: Statistically dangerous. Requires constant situational awareness.
• Traffic & Commute: Brutal if you work elsewhere in the region.
• High Taxes & Cost of Living: California’s state income tax and high sales tax eat into your budget.
• Housing Affordability Crisis: Buying a home is a pipe dream for most.

Redmond: The Tech Suburb

PROS:

• Safety & Schools: One of the safest communities with top-ranked public schools.
• Financial Perks: 0% state income tax is a massive long-term wealth builder.
• Outdoor Access: Immediate access to hiking, biking, and the Cascade Mountains.
• Strong Job Market: Proximity to Microsoft, Amazon, and the broader Seattle tech scene.

CONS:

• Extreme Housing Costs: Median home price of $1.35M is prohibitive for most.
• Grey & Damp Weather: The "Big Dark" can be mentally taxing for 6-7 months a year.
• Lack of Diversity & Culture: It’s predominantly white and affluent; cultural scenes are limited compared to a major city.
• Traffic: Commuting to Seattle is a regional headache.

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My Final Recommendation

This isn't a choice between two similar cities. It's a choice between two different versions of the American dream.

Choose Long Beach if: Your soul craves sunshine, diversity, and cultural buzz. You’re willing to trade some safety and tax savings for a life that feels more vibrant and spontaneous. You’re okay with renting and want to be in the heart of the action.

Choose Redmond if: Your priorities are safety, schools, and long-term financial health. You value nature, quiet, and community. You’re in (or can get into) the tech industry and can leverage the high salaries and tax advantages to build wealth, even if it means living in a smaller home or renting longer.

The bottom line: Redmond is the smarter financial move for a high-earning professional or family. Long Beach is the richer lifestyle move for someone who values energy and culture over order and safety.

The choice is yours. Choose wisely.