Moving from Long Beach, CA to Fresno, CA
It is a 245 mi drive, roughly 4h 38m, between Long Beach, CA and Fresno, 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.
245 mi Β· 4h 38m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 405 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.0% moving from Long Beach to Fresno β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $857,861 in Long Beach to $391,328 in Fresno, a 10.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 65.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fresno sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.03 |
Fresno households earn about 10.0% less than Long Beach at the median β $83,969 β $66,804 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 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
Is Fresno more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 10.0% lower than Long Beach (102.158 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 54.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 20.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fresno, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 245 mi and the route typically takes 4h 38m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 245 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Fresno, CA.