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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

Huntington Beach is 153% more expensive than Knoxville.

$2,424/mo ↑ 117%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 54%
$119,885/yr ↑ 135%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 57%
$1,047,300 ↑ 389%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 80%
$2,436/mo ↑ 127%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 56%
196,010
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,308/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $15,696/year.

Median household income is $68,891/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Knoxville — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Knoxville?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $1,308/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Knoxville?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $68,891/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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