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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Huntington Beach is 177% more expensive than Lakeland.

$2,424/mo ↑ 87%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↓ 46%
$119,885/yr ↑ 97%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↓ 49%
$1,047,300 ↑ 357%
Home Value
$229,100 ↓ 78%
$2,436/mo ↑ 112%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 53%
196,010
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,125/month cheaper in Lakeland, saving renters about $13,500/year.

Median household income is $58,938/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Lakeland?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $1,125/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Lakeland?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $58,938/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Lakeland details →

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