Best Neighborhoods in Long Beach, CA for Renters

Long Beach is the kind of city where your neighborhood can shape your experience. One address might put you within walking distance of the sand, while another means tree-lined blocks, extra breathing room, and an easier drive around town. And with more than five miles of beaches, a lively downtown waterfront, and neighborhoods that range from laid-back to busy, there’s plenty to explore before deciding where to unpack. 

If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Long Beach, choosing where to start can be the tricky part. We’ve narrowed the search to five neighborhoods that each offer something different, comparing rental costs, apartment size, transportation, and proximity to the places that make everyday life more convenient—or simply more fun. 

The five best neighborhoods in Long Beach for renters are: 

• Belmont Shore 

• Bixby Knolls 

• Park Estates 

• Downtown Long Beach 

• Los Altos 

Belmont Shore 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach: $1,881/month 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Belmont Shore: $1,859/month 

• Average 1-bedroom square footage: 492 square feet 

Why Belmont Shore is good for renters 

Belmont Shore puts the beach and one of Long Beach’s liveliest commercial corridors within easy reach. Second Street is packed with restaurants, shops, and everyday conveniences, while Rosie’s Dog Beach and the waterfront give renters plenty of reasons to spend time outside. The neighborhood’s beach cottages, condos, and smaller apartment buildings also create a distinctly residential feel despite all the activity nearby. With a bikeability score of 70 out of 100 and a walkability score of 50, it can work particularly well for renters who like keeping errands and recreation close to home. 

Keep in mind 

Parking can take some planning, especially around busy Second Street, where the city operates metered spaces with a three-hour maximum during enforcement hours. On that note, Belmont Shore is very car dependent.  

Bixby Knolls

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach: $1,881/month 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Bixby Knolls: $1,595/month 

• Average 1-bedroom square footage: 548 square feet 

Why Bixby Knolls is good for renters 

Bixby Knolls combines tree-lined residential streets with an active business district along Atlantic Avenue, all at an average one-bedroom rent well below the Long Beach average. Independent restaurants, boutiques, and neighborhood businesses give the area plenty of local character without the density of Downtown. That commercial strip isn't just useful for errands: the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association hosts First Fridays, when participating businesses stay open late for art, music, activities, and special events.  

Keep in mind 

Renters who live near Atlantic Avenue might face the noise that comes with it. Expect high foot traffic, street noise, congested streets, and the occasional aircraft noise.  

Park Estates

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach: $1,881/month 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Park Estates: $1,686/month 

• Average 1-bedroom square footage: 523 square feet 

Why Park Estates is good for renters 

Park Estates is a quieter option for renters who want residential surroundings without giving up access to some of east Long Beach’s biggest destinations. The neighborhood borders California State University Long Beach and sits near the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and Colorado Lagoon. That lagoon is an 18-acre saltwater tidal lagoon used for recreation and habitat, making it a distinctive outdoor amenity close to home. 

Keep in mind 

Park Estates is largely residential, so renters looking for restaurants, nightlife, or a dense shopping district right outside their door may need to venture into neighboring areas.  

Downtown Long Beach

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach: $1,881/month 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Downtown Long Beach: $2,063/month 

• Average 1-bedroom square footage: 569 square feet 

Why Downtown Long Beach is good for renters 

Downtown Long Beach delivers the most urban experience on this list, with high-rise apartments, waterfront destinations, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment clustered close together. The East Village Arts District adds a creative streak, while Alamitos Beach and Shoreline Aquatic Park keep the coast from ever feeling far away. It also puts renters close to one of the city’s signature landmarks, the permanently moored Queen Mary. 

Keep in mind 

Convenience comes at a premium in Downtown Long Beach. The average one-bedroom costs $2,063 per month, more than the city average.  

Los Altos

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Long Beach: $1,881/month 

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Los Altos: $2,316/month 

• Average 1-bedroom square footage: 716 square feet 

Why Los Altos is good for renters 

Los Altos trades the density of Downtown and Belmont Shore for a more suburban layout, tree-lined streets, and convenient everyday shopping. Renters have easy access to Los Altos Shopping Center, while nearby Whaley Park and the California State University Long Beach campus add recreation and cultural attractions to the mix. The biggest standout may be space: the neighborhood’s average one-bedroom measures 716 square feet, the largest average floor plan among the five neighborhoods on this list.  

Keep in mind 

That extra space comes with the highest average rent on this list at $2,316 per month. Los Altos also has a transit score of 30 out of 100, so renters hoping to rely primarily on public transportation may find other neighborhoods like Downtown Long Beach more convenient. 

Ready to Make the Move?

If Long Beach has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com! Whether you’re dropping in for a short-term lease or hoping to set down roots, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place. Navigate housing across neighborhoods with our customized search engine and use our customizable filters to narrow your search by price, amenities, and floor plan. 

Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, the options are endless with Apartments.com. 

Apartment rent and cost of living data provided by CoStar Group’s August 2026 reports. 

Methodology 

Rent and cost of living data are sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages and Cost of Living Calculator. Walkability, transit, drivability, and bikeability ratings are sourced from the Apartments.com Area Guides, courtesy of Local Logic. Neighborhoods were selected to give renters a range of options across rent, location, transportation, apartment size, and access to everyday amenities.