Are you trying to figure out where your dollar goes farther, Lakewood or Long Beach? It is a smart question, especially when list prices alone can be misleading. By looking at value per square foot, you can compare how much living space you get for the money. Below, you will see current numbers, what drives differences between the two cities, and how to use price per square foot the right way for your next move. Let’s dive in.
Citywide price per square foot
According to Rocket’s June 2025 city market reports, Lakewood’s median sold price per square foot was about $660, while Long Beach’s citywide median was about $649. You will also see median sold prices around the mid to high $800,000s for both cities in the same snapshot. See the city reports for context and methodology in each market window: Lakewood market report and Long Beach market report.
Quarterly snapshots point to similar ranges. PropertyShark’s Q2 2025 view for Lakewood shows a median price per square foot near $650, which aligns with the 12‑month figures above. Different vendors use different time frames, so small variances are normal. You can review the quarterly breakdown here: PropertyShark Lakewood trends.
What price per square foot means
Price per square foot is sale price divided by living area. It is a quick way to compare how costly space is across homes and neighborhoods. Most datasets use above‑grade living area and exclude garages and unfinished basements.
Keep these caveats in mind:
- Housing mix matters. Condos and small coastal homes often show higher per‑square‑foot numbers than larger single‑family homes. Lakewood is predominantly single‑family, which keeps its range tighter. Learn more about the city’s housing profile at the City of Lakewood.
- Location premium is real. Shoreline access, walkable retail, and water views often push per‑square‑foot higher in certain Long Beach neighborhoods.
- Condition drives value. Renovated, smaller homes can price higher per square foot than larger, dated homes.
- Time frames change results. Quarterly and 30‑day windows can swing more than 12‑month views. See an example of quarterly reporting at PropertyShark.
Why Lakewood and Long Beach differ
- Housing stock and lots. Lakewood’s post‑WWII single‑family neighborhoods create a more uniform price‑per‑square‑foot band. Long Beach has a wider mix that includes coastal pockets, historic areas, and a large condo base. City context for Lakewood is available on the official city profile.
- Owner occupancy and product mix. Long Beach has a lower owner‑occupied rate, which reflects a more varied housing inventory and can increase within‑city variance. See the data on U.S. Census QuickFacts for Long Beach.
- Amenities and scarcity. Coastal neighborhoods in Long Beach command premiums for proximity to water, beaches, and walkable corridors. Lakewood’s inland setting offers bigger lots and more consistency, which moderates extremes in price per square foot.
Neighborhood contrasts at a glance
City medians tell only part of the story. In Long Beach, coastal neighborhoods such as Naples Island, Belmont Shore, and Belmont Park often trade far above the city median per square foot. In recent market snapshots, those areas have shown values commonly in the upper hundreds per square foot and, at times, around four figures. Inland Long Beach pockets can be closer to, or even below, Lakewood’s averages.
Lakewood typically clusters in a narrower band, often in the low to mid 600s per square foot based on mid‑2025 snapshots. That consistency helps both buyers and sellers set realistic expectations.
How to use price per square foot
Use price per square foot as a starting point, not the final word. Here is a simple approach:
- Compare apples to apples
- Match property type, neighborhood, beds, baths, lot size, and condition.
- Separate condos from single‑family homes when you compare.
- Check the time window
- Prefer 12‑month data for stability.
- Use quarterly or 30‑day views only to gauge recent momentum.
- Verify square footage
- Confirm living area through assessor records and your agent’s MLS data so you do not price off incorrect numbers.
- Adjust for condition and features
- Renovations, energy upgrades, ADUs, and outdoor space can shift value beyond what price per square foot suggests.
Buyers: stretching your dollars
If your goal is more interior space for the money, Lakewood’s single‑family stock often delivers a larger footprint at a similar price per square foot compared with Long Beach’s coastal areas. Focus your search on comparable homes and watch the median per‑square‑foot trend in your target neighborhoods. Use citywide medians as context, then drill into recent closed comps.
Sellers: pricing with confidence
Start with the citywide median, then adjust to your micro‑market. Pull recent closed sales that match your home’s size, layout, lot, and condition. Verify your living area before setting list price, highlight renovations and functional upgrades, and position within a pricing band that reflects both per‑square‑foot value and the full feature set of your home.
Local takeaway
Citywide medians for Lakewood and Long Beach are close, and in mid‑2025 Lakewood’s per‑square‑foot figure is slightly higher in some snapshots. The real gap shows up by neighborhood, where Long Beach’s coastal pockets can far exceed city averages while inland areas can align more closely with Lakewood. Your best decision comes from hyper‑local comps and verified square footage.
Ready for a data‑driven plan tailored to your block and home type? Reach out to Wallstreet Realty for a local market analysis and on‑the‑ground guidance.
FAQs
Is Lakewood cheaper per square foot than Long Beach?
- Citywide medians are very close, and June 2025 Rocket reports show Lakewood around $660 per square foot and Long Beach around $649, but Long Beach’s coastal neighborhoods can trade much higher.
Which city gives more space for the money for buyers?
- Often Lakewood, since its single‑family stock and lot sizes can provide more interior square footage per dollar than Long Beach’s coastal areas where location premiums are higher.
Should I price my home using price per square foot alone?
- Use it as a quick screen, then rely on recent closed comps that match your home’s neighborhood, type, size, lot, and condition for accurate pricing.
Why do vendor numbers differ between websites?
- Vendors use different time frames and inclusion rules, so 12‑month medians from one source may vary from quarterly or 30‑day windows from another.
Where can I find official context on Lakewood’s housing mix?
- The City of Lakewood’s profile provides neutral background on the community and housing stock, which helps explain the city’s consistent per‑square‑foot range.
