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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Huntington Beach is 10% cheaper than Berkeley.

$2,424/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↓ 12%
$119,885/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↓ 9%
$1,047,300 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 29%
$2,436/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 4%
196,010
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $297/month cheaper in Berkeley, saving renters about $3,564/year.

Median household income is $11,327/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntington Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 227 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Berkeley?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $297/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Berkeley?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $11,327/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Berkeley details →

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