Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Huntington Beach is 234% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$2,424/mo ↑ 156%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 61%
$119,885/yr ↑ 117%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 54%
$1,047,300 ↑ 382%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 79%
$2,436/mo ↑ 150%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 60%
196,010
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,478/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $17,736/year.

Median household income is $64,709/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

New Mexico has a lower income tax rate, making Las Cruces slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Las Cruces is cheaper to live in with an index of 68 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $1,478/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $64,709/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and New Mexico?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Las Cruces has a cost index of 68 with rent of $946/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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