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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Huntington Beach is 32% more expensive than Santa Rosa.

$2,424/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↓ 14%
$119,885/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↓ 19%
$1,047,300 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$685,000 ↓ 35%
$2,436/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↓ 13%
196,010
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $340/month cheaper in Santa Rosa, saving renters about $4,080/year.

Median household income is $22,475/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Santa Rosa — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Rosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $340/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $22,475/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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

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