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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Huntington Beach is 66% more expensive than Santa Maria.

$2,424/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↓ 24%
$119,885/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 29%
$1,047,300 ↑ 119%
Home Value
$478,200 ↓ 54%
$2,436/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 27%
196,010
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $582/month cheaper in Santa Maria, saving renters about $6,984/year.

Median household income is $35,268/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Maria is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $582/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $35,268/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Santa Maria details →

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