Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Fort Collins, CO (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Fort Collins

Colorado
137

Huntington Beach is 66% more expensive than Fort Collins.

$2,424/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,661/mo ↓ 31%
$119,885/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$83,598/yr ↓ 30%
$1,047,300 ↑ 91%
Home Value
$548,400 ↓ 48%
$2,436/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,692/mo ↓ 31%
196,010
Population
169,705

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Fort Collins, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $763/month cheaper in Fort Collins, saving renters about $9,156/year.

Median household income is $36,287/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $548,400 in Fort Collins.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Fort Collins slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Fort Collins — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Collins is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Fort Collins?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Fort Collins it's $1,661/month — a difference of $763/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Fort Collins?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $83,598 in Fort Collins. Median household income is $36,287/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Fort Collins has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,661/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Fort Collins details →

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