property
Build-to-Rent Projects Transform Long Beach Housing Amid Rising Ownership Costs
These projects deliver amenities and lease flexibility at a time when Long Beach ownership costs keep climbing.
How we reported this
A 248-unit build-to-rent community opened on Cherry Avenue in May with one-bedroom apartments listed from $2,150 a month that include parking, high-speed internet and access to a fitness center and dog park.
High mortgage rates have kept many Long Beach households out of the purchase market since early 2025, pushing demand toward professionally managed rental communities that promise predictable costs and on-site services.
Projects near key Long Beach landmarks
One complex sits two blocks from the Long Beach Airport terminal and targets airline and port workers with shuttle stops at the entrance. Another development under construction on Atlantic Avenue near the Pike Outlets will add 180 townhomes with three-bedroom floor plans starting at $3,400 monthly when it opens in 2027. Both sites fall within the Long Beach Housing Authority’s inclusionary zoning area, which requires 15 percent of units to meet income-restricted rents.
The Long Beach Association of Realtors reported that the median single-family home price reached $792,000 in June 2026, up 4 percent from the same month last year, while average asking rents for new apartments rose only 2 percent over the same period.
Lease terms and practical steps for tenants
Build-to-rent operators here typically offer 12- to 18-month leases with month-to-month options after the first year and on-site maintenance teams that respond within four hours for emergencies. Prospective renters can compare total monthly costs at the Cherry Avenue site against ownership expenses by using the city’s online affordability calculator, which factors in property taxes and insurance on a $792,000 home. Checking current listings through the Long Beach Apartment Association website provides the quickest way to tour available units before rates adjust again in the fall.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.