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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Fullerton

California
195

Huntington Beach is 16% more expensive than Fullerton.

$2,424/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↓ 12%
$119,885/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↓ 13%
$1,047,300 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$859,600 ↓ 18%
$2,436/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↓ 8%
196,010
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $300/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $3,600/year.

Median household income is $15,666/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Fullerton — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fullerton is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Fullerton?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $300/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Fullerton?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $15,666/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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Fullerton details →

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