Salary Needed to Live in Long Beach as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $76,394/year to live comfortably in Long Beach, CA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $76,394/year to live comfortably in Long Beach, CA. The bare-minimum salary is $71,162/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,574.
The minimum scenario leaves about $4,329/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,366/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$76,394
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$71,162
$5,930/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$4,329
18% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Long Beach
| Expense | Long Beach | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,403 | $1,448 | -3% |
| Groceries | $314 | $189 | +66% |
| Utilities | $243 | $183 | +33% |
| Transportation | $285 | $211 | +35% |
| Car Insurance | $197 | $215 | -8% |
| Health Insurance | $693 | $642 | +8% |
| Medicare Supplement | $310 | $200 | +55% |
| Prescription Drugs | $233 | $150 | +55% |
| Internet + Phone | $186 | $120 | +55% |
| Recreation & Social | $310 | $200 | +55% |
| Home Maintenance | $155 | $100 | +55% |
| Total Monthly | $4,329 | $3,658 | +18% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$4,329
Target savings (5%):$245/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,574
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$76,394
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,403
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$245/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
155/100
Long Beach is well above the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,403/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,194/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $71,162/year as the survival floor and $76,394/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Long Beach
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Long Beach?
A retiree needs approximately $76,394/year ($6,366/month gross) to live comfortably in Long Beach with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Long Beach?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Long Beach costs approximately $1,403/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Long Beach affordable for a retiree?
Long Beach is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 18% more salary than the US median.