Long Beach home prices since 2020 have followed a very different path than many buyers expected. While a large number of people waited for prices to drop, the Long Beach real estate market proved to be far more resilient than headlines suggested. Limited housing supply, strong owner-occupancy, and lifestyle-driven demand shaped how values moved from 2020 through 2025 — and continue to influence the market heading into 2026.

Understanding what actually happened during this period is critical if you’re moving to Long Beach or planning a move within Long Beach.

Why the Long Beach Housing Market Behaved Differently

Long Beach is a built-out coastal city with established neighborhoods and minimal new construction. Unlike markets where large amounts of new inventory can flood supply, housing here is constrained by design. Demand isn’t speculative — people move to Long Beach for walkability, schools, coastal access, and long-term livability.

This structure helped the Long Beach housing market remain stable even as interest rates rose sharply. Instead of a crash, the market became more selective and neighborhood-specific.

How Home Values Changed From 2020 to 2025

Low mortgage rates in 2020 and 2021 fueled strong appreciation across Long Beach, with some neighborhoods significantly outperforming the citywide average. Areas like California Heights, Bixby Knolls, Belmont Heights, and Los Altos saw particularly strong demand due to location, character, and owner-occupancy.

When interest rates increased in 2022, buyer behavior shifted. The market slowed, days on market increased, and competition eased — but prices did not collapse. Through 2023, 2024, and 2025, Long Beach home values stabilized with modest, selective appreciation depending on neighborhood and property type.

Single-family homes generally outperformed condos and higher-priced listings, reinforcing the importance of fundamentals over market timing.

Why Neighborhood Performance Matters More Than Ever

One of the biggest lessons since 2020 is that not all Long Beach neighborhoods perform the same, even within the same zip code. Walkable areas with strong schools, limited turnover, and high owner-occupancy consistently held value better than expected.

This is why buying in Long Beach isn’t the strategy — buying right in Long Beach is.

What This Means for Buyers Heading Into 2026

As we move toward 2026, waiting for the “perfect” market in Long Beach often costs more than it saves. Equity here is built through time, location, and smart entry points — not short-term market timing. Whether you’re buying a home in Long Beach, relocating to the area, or moving within the city, understanding your specific neighborhood’s performance is key.

For ongoing insights, market updates, and neighborhood guidance, staying informed early can make all the difference.