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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Salem

Oregon
105

Huntington Beach is 116% more expensive than Salem.

$2,424/mo ↑ 83%
Median Rent
$1,323/mo ↓ 45%
$119,885/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$71,900/yr ↓ 40%
$1,047,300 ↑ 174%
Home Value
$382,400 ↓ 63%
$2,436/mo ↑ 69%
Owner Costs
$1,440/mo ↓ 41%
196,010
Population
176,666

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Salem, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,101/month cheaper in Salem, saving renters about $13,212/year.

Median household income is $47,985/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $382,400 in Salem.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Salem slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Salem — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salem is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Salem?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Salem it's $1,323/month — a difference of $1,101/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Salem?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $71,900 in Salem. Median household income is $47,985/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Salem has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,323/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Salem details →

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