Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Huntington Beach is 187% more expensive than Allentown.

$2,424/mo ↑ 91%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↓ 48%
$119,885/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 55%
$1,047,300 ↑ 454%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 82%
$2,436/mo ↑ 96%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↓ 49%
196,010
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
3.07%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,155/month cheaper in Allentown, saving renters about $13,860/year.

Median household income is $66,482/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Allentown — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Allentown?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $1,155/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Allentown?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $66,482/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Pennsylvania?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

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