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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Elgin

Illinois
90

Huntington Beach is 152% more expensive than Elgin.

$2,424/mo ↑ 92%
Median Rent
$1,260/mo ↓ 48%
$119,885/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$88,316/yr ↓ 26%
$1,047,300 ↑ 315%
Home Value
$252,400 ↓ 76%
$2,436/mo ↑ 62%
Owner Costs
$1,502/mo ↓ 38%
196,010
Population
114,106

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Elgin, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,164/month cheaper in Elgin, saving renters about $13,968/year.

Median household income is $31,569/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $252,400 in Elgin.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Elgin slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Elgin — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Elgin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elgin is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Elgin?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Elgin it's $1,260/month — a difference of $1,164/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Elgin?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $88,316 in Elgin. Median household income is $31,569/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Elgin?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Elgin has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,260/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Elgin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and Elgin

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 Elgin vs. Provo Elgin vs. Odessa Elgin vs. Waterbury Elgin vs. Springfield Elgin vs. Carlsbad Elgin vs. Beaumont