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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Hayward

California
200

Huntington Beach is 14% more expensive than Hayward.

$2,424/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↓ 3%
$119,885/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↓ 5%
$1,047,300 ↑ 28%
Home Value
$820,700 ↓ 22%
$2,436/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ≈ Same
196,010
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Hayward, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $6,110/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Hayward — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hayward is cheaper to live in with an index of 200 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Hayward?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Hayward?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $6,110/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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Hayward details →

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