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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Rockford

Illinois
57

Huntington Beach is 298% more expensive than Rockford.

$2,424/mo ↑ 154%
Median Rent
$954/mo ↓ 61%
$119,885/yr ↑ 125%
Median Income
$53,328/yr ↓ 56%
$1,047,300 ↑ 766%
Home Value
$120,900 ↓ 88%
$2,436/mo ↑ 157%
Owner Costs
$947/mo ↓ 61%
196,010
Population
147,649

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Rockford, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,470/month cheaper in Rockford, saving renters about $17,640/year.

Median household income is $66,557/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $120,900 in Rockford.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Rockford slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Rockford — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Rockford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rockford is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Rockford?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Rockford it's $954/month — a difference of $1,470/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Rockford?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $53,328 in Rockford. Median household income is $66,557/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Rockford?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Rockford has a cost index of 57 with rent of $954/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Rockford details →

More Comparisons

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