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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

Huntington Beach is 180% more expensive than Chattanooga.

$2,424/mo ↑ 110%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↓ 52%
$119,885/yr ↑ 96%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↓ 49%
$1,047,300 ↑ 304%
Home Value
$259,200 ↓ 75%
$2,436/mo ↑ 119%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↓ 54%
196,010
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,269/month cheaper in Chattanooga, saving renters about $15,228/year.

Median household income is $58,857/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chattanooga is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Chattanooga?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $1,269/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $58,857/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Chattanooga details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and Chattanooga

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 Chattanooga vs. Fort Lauderdale Chattanooga vs. Aurora Chattanooga vs. Shreveport Chattanooga vs. Ontario Chattanooga vs. Newport News Chattanooga vs. Eugene