Long Beach, CA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Long Beach, CA: What You Need to Know

Long Beach, with a population of 462,628, is the second-largest city in the Greater Los Angeles area behind the City of Angels. 

Job Opportunities

Only 22 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach benefits from its strategic location. The bustling Los Angeles region enjoys a diverse economy with the presence of major companies in technology, arts and entertainment, gaming and animation, and aerospace industries. The Port of Long Beach is among the world’s busiest and largest shipping ports. Major employers in Long Beach itself include California State University Long Beach, Frontier Communications, Long Beach Unified School District, Longshoremen’s Union, and Aquarium of the Pacific.

Things to Do in Long Beach

The Queen Mary reigns in Long Beach where it’s permanently stationed as a floating museum. It was one of the largest ships of the early 20th century, the epitome of luxurious trans-Atlantic travel. The Queen Mary made 1,001 crossings between New York and England since 1936. Today, it offers excellent dining, special events, overnight accommodations, and dazzling views of the cityscape. Take in some art and culture at the Long Beach Museum of Art, located in the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House. It features over 3,200 items representing 300 years of American and European art in all media. 

Cost of Living

Long Beach’s density and proximity to Los Angeles make it an expensive place, with the  median gross rent at $1,324. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Long Beach is $2,820. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 27.8%, 2.8%, and 17.9% higher than the national average, respectively. California charges 1% to 13.3% in income tax and 7.25% to 10.50% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

When it comes to diversity in Long Beach, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Locals are proud of their LGBTQ-friendly “gayborhoods,” which you won’t find in most places. The majority (60%) of city residents are renters. While Long Beach has good schools, those in search of top-notch schools should also check out Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

Schools and Higher Education

There are two institutions of higher education in Long Beach: California State University Long Beach (37,466 students) and Long Beach City College (23,845 students). There are 105 other universities within 50 miles of the city. The Long Beach Unified School District has 86 public schools (74,407 students). The district boasts of an average math proficiency score of 43%, higher than the California average of 38%, and a reading proficiency score of 51% versus the 50% statewide average.