Moving from San Diego, CA to Long Beach, CA
It is a 99 mi drive, roughly 2h 4m, between San Diego, CA and Long Beach, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
99 mi Β· 2h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 73, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 111.887 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 1.5% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in San Diego (64.1Β°F) and Long Beach (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 36 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.68 |
Households in Long Beach earn about 1.5% 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 much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 14.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Long Beach, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m via I 5 and CA 73. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 19.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Diego 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 99 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 San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 1.5% higher than San Diego (113.566 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Long Beach, CA.