Long Beach, a Southern California paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to rent or buy a home in the state. Featuring plenty of beachfront activities, it’s no wonder Long Beach is also home to nearly 450,000 people. The city is rising in popularity and price, so if you’re considering buying a home in Long Beach, know that the housing market is very competitive, and the median home sale price is $771,000. Maybe you’re considering apartments for rent in Long Beach instead? If so, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,856.
If those price tags don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve collected the 10 best affordable Long Beach suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 20 minutes away from the city center. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Long Beach’s best activities without paying the price of city life.
#1: Huntington Park
Median home price: $475,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 20 minutes
Huntington Park, CA homes for sale
Huntington Park, CA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of nearly $300K less than Long Beach, Huntington Park takes the number one spot on our list of affordable Long Beach suburbs. Just about a 20-minute drive from Long Beach, you won’t miss out on what the city offers.
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#2: Paramount
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Median home price: $517,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 15 minutes
Paramount, CA homes for sale
Paramount, CA apartments for rent
Paramount is just a little more expensive than Huntington Park. Only 15 minutes from the city center, you’ll be checking out Downtown Waterfront in no time. When living in this neighborhood of 53,000 people, you can also spend the day checking out Paramount Iceland or spend the afternoon relaxing at Paramount Park.
“Once a month we visit downtown Paramount to experience the Friday Night Paramount open market and jam out to the live music,” shares Green Sea Shells. “Admission and parking are complimentary, and occasionally, we shop at the Saturday Farmers Market located at Paramount Park.”
#3: Willowbrook
Median home price: $537,500
Driving distance from Long Beach: 15 minutes
Willowbrook, CA homes for sale
Willowbrook, CA apartments for rent
Drive just 15 minutes outside of Long Beach, and you’ll reach Willowbrook, another great suburb. Even with a population of about 23,000, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Willowbrook. Make sure to visit Magic Johnson Park and Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: Hawaiian Gardens
Median home price: $574,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 20 minutes
Hawaiian Gardens, CA homes for sale
Hawaiian Gardens, CA apartments for rent
Home to roughly 14,000 residents, Hawaiian Gardens is the next suburb on our list. Hawaiian Gardens is a smaller but beautiful suburb with plenty to do. Residents can enjoy the Aquarium of the Pacific and Lee Ware Park for an afternoon of fun. Plus, weekend trips into downtown Long Beach won’t take too long, only about 20 if you’re lucky to catch a traffic-free drive.
#5: Compton
Median home price: $585,500
Driving distance from Long Beach: 15 minutes
Compton, CA homes for sale
Compton, CA apartments for rent
Drive 15 minutes outside of Long Beach, and you’ll find the suburb of Compton, another great area to add to your list. With 93,500 people living in this affordable area, Compton is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Long Beach without paying the premium for a home in the city. In Compton, you’ll find Wilson Park and have easy access to all the attractions throughout the city of Long Beach.
#6: Lynwood
Median home price: $638,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 15 minutes
Lynwood, CA homes for sale
Lynwood, CA apartments for rent
Another noteworthy Long Beach suburb is Lynwood, where the median home sale price is about $100,000 less than in Long Beach. With just about 69,000 people living in Lynwood, it’s a great suburb to consider buying a house in. With Lynwood Park and many local shops, you’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb special.
#7: South Gate
Median home price: $650,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 15 minutes
South Gate, CA homes for sale
South Gate, CA apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Long Beach suburbs is South Gate, which is almost 15 minutes away from the heart of the city. With a population of nearly 92,000, living in South Gate is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Long Beach. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit South Gate Park.
#8: Westmont
Median home price: $690,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 20 minutes
Westmont, CA homes for sale
Westmont, CA apartments for rent
Living in Long Beach, you likely know of Westmont, the eighth suburb on our list. About 35,500 people live in Westmont, so you’ll have a fraction of Long Beach’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Make sure to visit Jesse Owens Park once you move to Westmont.
#9: Santa Fe Springs
Median home price: $720,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 20 minutes
Santa Fe Springs, CA homes for sale
Santa Fe Springs, CA apartments for rent
Moving to Santa Fe Springs will give you access to downtown Long Beach in about 20 minutes – as long as you don’t find yourself in traffic. Home to 17,000 residents, this suburb is a great up-and-coming area to lay down roots. Popular things to do in Santa Fe Springs include exploring Santa Fe Springs Park and Golf N’ Stuff.
#10: Wrigley
Median home price: $748,000
Driving distance from Long Beach: 5 minutes
Wrigley, CA homes for sale
Wrigley, CA apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of affordable Long Beach suburbs is Wrigley. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 5 minutes to drive into Long Beach. This historic suburb has a population of 8,500 and has many parks scattered throughout the suburbs, including Veterans Memorial Park, the Wrigley Greenbelt, and Avila Park. There’s always something to check out while living in this great neighborhood.
“Sesame Dinette in Wrigley is my favorite budget-friendly activity to do in Long Beach,” shares Vintage Modern. “After indulging in a delicious late lunch, why not head to Signal Hill to witness the beautiful sunset? On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Downtown L.A..”
5 Affordable things to do in Long Beach
1. Belmont Shore
“We love exploring Long Beach, especially the neighborhood of Belmont Shore. Second Street has many chic shops and cafes – perfect for a budget-friendly outing. We often get coffee and head over to the beach to spread out a picnic blanket, relax and let the kids have fun in the sand,” says Do Tell, Anabel.
2. Naples Canals
“Exploring the canals of Naples in Long Beach is a great free activity that offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities,” states Katie Kinsley. “From the beautifully manicured homes to the sparkling waters, it is a stunning backdrop for a leisurely stroll or other activities. If you’re looking for a more active experience, you can rent kayaks or paddle boards to explore the canals from a different view. This budget-friendly activity is one of the best things to do in Long Beach.”
3. Loiter Galleries
“Do you want to support the arts and have fun doing it? Loiter Galleries is a non-profit artist gallery and collaborative located in downtown Long Beach. Their exhibits are free and feature underserved local artist’s works.”
4. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
“The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the CSULB campus is an incredible hidden gem in the heart of Long Beach,” suggests The Episodic Eater. “It is an absolutely free activity to explore the winding paths of stunning seasonal greenery, and by making a reservation, you can even feed the koi. It is truly breathtaking to experience the tranquility of the Zen Garden while being in an urban environment. This is undoubtedly my favorite free thing to do in Long Beach.”
5. Downey International Food Festival
“Attending the Downey International Food Festival is an ideal way to savor different cultures and cuisines, all while enjoying a fun and budget-friendly weekend outing with friends and family,” recommends Female Blogpreneur.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Long Beach and under a 20-minute drive from downtown Orlando. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
Learn more about Long Beach:
10 Cities Near Long Beach to Buy or Rent in this Year
Coffee Shops in Long Beach Every Local Should Visit
Exploring Parks in Long Beach: A Guide to Nature and Recreation in the City of Long Beach
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