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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Huntington Beach is 114% more expensive than Paterson.

$2,424/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 40%
$119,885/yr ↑ 123%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 55%
$1,047,300 ↑ 212%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 68%
$2,436/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 36%
196,010
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $967/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $11,604/year.

Median household income is $66,119/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

New Jersey has a lower income tax rate, making Paterson slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Paterson — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson 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 Paterson?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $967/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Paterson?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $66,119/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and New Jersey?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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