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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Huntington Beach is 36% more expensive than Fairfield.

$2,424/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↓ 10%
$119,885/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 15%
$1,047,300 ↑ 77%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 43%
$2,436/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↓ 9%
196,010
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $233/month cheaper in Fairfield, saving renters about $2,796/year.

Median household income is $17,564/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Fairfield?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $233/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Fairfield?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $17,564/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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Fairfield details →

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