Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Long Beach, CA
The drive from Huntington Beach to Long Beach covers 14 mi in about 27 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
14 mi Β· 27 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 405, CA 22, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | 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 |
Long Beach and Huntington Beach are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 0.0% under Huntington Beach at $1,366,658 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Huntington Beach and Long Beach (ACS 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 Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach 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 14 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 37.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 14 mi and the route typically takes 27 min via I 405 and CA 22. 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.