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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Huntington Beach is 195% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,424/mo ↑ 128%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 56%
$119,885/yr ↑ 95%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 49%
$1,047,300 ↑ 317%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 76%
$2,436/mo ↑ 130%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 57%
196,010
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,359/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $16,308/year.

Median household income is $58,431/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Lafayette?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,359/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Lafayette?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $58,431/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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