Moving from Fullerton, CA to Long Beach, CA
It is a short 20 mi hop from Fullerton, CA to Long Beach, CA β roughly 37 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
20 mi Β· 37 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Glendale, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Fullerton and Long Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Long Beach run about 0.0% cheaper β ZHVI $1,050,945 β $857,861 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.2Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.68 |
Households in Long Beach earn about 0.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 does the job market in Long Beach compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 18.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton 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 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 37 min via CA 91 and CA 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.