Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Huntington Beach is 72% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$2,424/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 27%
$119,885/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 33%
$1,047,300 ↑ 130%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 56%
$2,436/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 27%
196,010
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $648/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $7,776/year.

Median household income is $39,950/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $648/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $39,950/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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