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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Huntington Beach is 3% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,424/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↓ 8%
$119,885/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↓ 13%
$1,047,300 ≈ Same
Home Value
$1,045,000 ≈ Same
$2,436/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 4%
196,010
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $206/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $2,472/year.

Median household income is $16,107/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 220 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Pasadena?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $206/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Pasadena?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $16,107/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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Pasadena details →

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