Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Lowell, MA (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

Huntington Beach is 91% more expensive than Lowell.

$2,424/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↓ 34%
$119,885/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↓ 36%
$1,047,300 ↑ 165%
Home Value
$395,100 ↓ 62%
$2,436/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↓ 31%
196,010
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $821/month cheaper in Lowell, saving renters about $9,852/year.

Median household income is $43,680/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Massachusetts has a lower income tax rate, making Lowell slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Lowell — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lowell is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Lowell?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $821/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Lowell?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $43,680/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Massachusetts?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Lowell details →

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