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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

Houston is 61% cheaper than Huntington Beach.

$1,313/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↑ 85%
$62,894/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↑ 91%
$253,400 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↑ 313%
$1,316/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↑ 85%
2,300,419
Population
196,010

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,111/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $13,332/year.

Median household income is $56,991/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is Houston or Huntington Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $1,111/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $56,991/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 Houston or Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Huntington Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Huntington Beach

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Huntington Beach vs. Overland Park Huntington Beach vs. Peoria Huntington Beach vs. Sioux Falls Huntington Beach vs. Knoxville Huntington Beach vs. Grand Rapids Huntington Beach vs. Vancouver