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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Kent

Washington
145

Huntington Beach is 57% more expensive than Kent.

$2,424/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↓ 24%
$119,885/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↓ 25%
$1,047,300 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$537,500 ↓ 49%
$2,436/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↓ 21%
196,010
Population
135,015

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $591/month cheaper in Kent, saving renters about $7,092/year.

Median household income is $29,469/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Kent residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Kent — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kent is cheaper to live in with an index of 145 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Kent?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $591/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Kent?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $29,469/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Kent?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Kent details →

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