Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Huntington Beach is 69% more expensive than East Los Angeles.

$2,424/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↓ 41%
$119,885/yr ↑ 75%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↓ 43%
$1,047,300 ↑ 71%
Home Value
$613,600 ↓ 41%
$2,436/mo ↑ 67%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↓ 40%
196,010
Population
114,617

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $993/month cheaper in East Los Angeles, saving renters about $11,916/year.

Median household income is $51,507/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, East Los Angeles is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $993/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $51,507/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 East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View East Los Angeles details →

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