Moving from Fresno, CA to Long Beach, CA
Relocating between Fresno, CA and Long Beach, CA is a 245 mi drive β 4h 38m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
245 mi Β· 4h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 405 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach runs about 11.2% more expensive overall than Fresno β RPP 102.158 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $391,328 in Fresno to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 11.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fresno | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.0Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.2% β $66,804 β $83,969 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Long Beach, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 245 mi and the route typically takes 4h 38m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fresno vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $66,804 in Fresno β a 25.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fresno to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 245 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 11.2% higher than Fresno (113.566 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $391,328 in Fresno β a 119.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.