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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Huntington Beach is 26% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$2,424/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 23%
$119,885/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 45%
$1,047,300 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 46%
$2,436/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 25%
196,010
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $561/month cheaper in Huntington Beach, saving renters about $6,732/year.

Median household income is $53,785/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntington Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 227 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $561/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $53,785/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

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