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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Ontario

California
152

Huntington Beach is 49% more expensive than Ontario.

$2,424/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↓ 21%
$119,885/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↓ 31%
$1,047,300 ↑ 84%
Home Value
$568,000 ↓ 46%
$2,436/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↓ 19%
196,010
Population
178,347

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $508/month cheaper in Ontario, saving renters about $6,096/year.

Median household income is $37,079/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Ontario — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Ontario is cheaper to live in with an index of 152 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Ontario?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $508/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Ontario?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $37,079/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

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