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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

Huntington Beach is 199% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,424/mo ↑ 102%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 50%
$119,885/yr ↑ 87%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 46%
$1,047,300 ↑ 441%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 82%
$2,436/mo ↑ 113%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 53%
196,010
Population
149,345

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,223/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $14,676/year.

Median household income is $55,615/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Pasadena residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

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 76 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 $1,201/month — a difference of $1,223/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Pasadena?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $55,615/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% 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 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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