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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Downey

California
169

Huntington Beach is 34% more expensive than Downey.

$2,424/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↓ 22%
$119,885/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↓ 27%
$1,047,300 ↑ 44%
Home Value
$728,500 ↓ 30%
$2,436/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↓ 18%
196,010
Population
111,793

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
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $532/month cheaper in Downey, saving renters about $6,384/year.

Median household income is $32,485/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Downey — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Downey is cheaper to live in with an index of 169 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Downey?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $532/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Downey?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $32,485/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 Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Downey details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and Downey

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 Downey vs. Peoria Downey vs. Murrieta Downey vs. Pompano Beach Downey vs. Pueblo Downey vs. Lansing Downey vs. Miami Gardens