Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Long Beach, CA
Relocating between San Bernardino, CA and Long Beach, CA is a 69 mi drive β 1h 26m 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.
69 mi Β· 1h 26m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 91, CA 22, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Los Angeles, Glendale, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach runs about 6.7% more expensive overall than San Bernardino β RPP 106.442 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $487,988 in San Bernardino to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 6.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Bernardino | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 12.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.2Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: REDLANDS, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.7% β $63,988 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 does household income compare in San Bernardino vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $63,988 in San Bernardino β a 31.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 6.7% higher than San Bernardino (113.566 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $487,988 in San Bernardino β a 75.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 69 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Long Beach, CA from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 69 mi and the route typically takes 1h 26m via CA 91 and CA 22. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.