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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Huntington Beach is 116% more expensive than Clearwater.

$2,424/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 37%
$119,885/yr ↑ 86%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 46%
$1,047,300 ↑ 221%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 69%
$2,436/mo ↑ 73%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 42%
196,010
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $885/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $10,620/year.

Median household income is $55,445/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Clearwater?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $885/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Clearwater?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $55,445/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Clearwater details →

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