Long Beach, California

Long Beach is very close to Los Angeles. As a matter of fact, you can easily be in Los Angeles in less than 40 minutes by taking l-710 (as far as traffic will allow you). You’ll find this city near the water, and as the name suggests, it is nothing but a great, long beach.

It’s true that the rent here is much more affordable than in L.A., but it’s still a whopping $2,227 if you’re looking for a one-bedroom apartment. The overall cost of living index is 159.1, and the city isn’t exactly among the most livable ones, with a score of 59 out of 100.