Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Huntington Beach, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

Austin is 41% cheaper than Huntington Beach.

$1,655/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↑ 46%
$91,461/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↑ 31%
$512,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↑ 104%
$1,747/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↑ 39%
967,862
Population
196,010

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $769/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $9,228/year.

Median household income is $28,424/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is Austin or Huntington Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $769/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $28,424/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with rent of $2,424/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Huntington Beach details →

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