Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Huntington Beach is 114% more expensive than Manchester.

$2,424/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 40%
$119,885/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 35%
$1,047,300 ↑ 211%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 68%
$2,436/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 36%
196,010
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $959/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $11,508/year.

Median household income is $42,470/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Manchester — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Manchester?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $959/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Manchester?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $42,470/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and New Hampshire?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Manchester details →

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