Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Huntington Beach is 31% more expensive than Alexandria.

$2,424/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↓ 16%
$119,885/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↓ 5%
$1,047,300 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$696,800 ↓ 33%
$2,436/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↓ 11%
196,010
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $393/month cheaper in Alexandria, saving renters about $4,716/year.

Median household income is $6,247/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Alexandria is cheaper to live in with an index of 173 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Alexandria?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $393/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Alexandria?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $6,247/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Alexandria details →

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