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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Huntington Beach is 220% more expensive than Abilene.

$2,424/mo ↑ 119%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 54%
$119,885/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 48%
$1,047,300 ↑ 485%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 83%
$2,436/mo ↑ 119%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 54%
196,010
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,318/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $15,816/year.

Median household income is $57,165/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Abilene — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Abilene?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $1,318/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Abilene?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $57,165/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and Abilene

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 Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland