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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Orange

California
206

Huntington Beach is 10% more expensive than Orange.

$2,424/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$2,252/mo ↓ 7%
$119,885/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$116,945/yr ↓ 2%
$1,047,300 ↑ 16%
Home Value
$900,700 ↓ 14%
$2,436/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$2,394/mo ↓ 2%
196,010
Population
138,723

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
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Orange, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 206 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $172/month cheaper in Orange, saving renters about $2,064/year.

Median household income is $2,940/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $900,700 in Orange.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Orange — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Orange cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Orange is cheaper to live in with an index of 206 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Orange?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Orange it's $2,252/month — a difference of $172/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Orange?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $116,945 in Orange. Median household income is $2,940/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 Orange?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Orange has a cost index of 206 with rent of $2,252/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Orange details →

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