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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Huntington Beach is 33% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$2,424/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 26%
$119,885/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 52%
$1,047,300 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 73%
$2,436/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 24%
196,010
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $641/month cheaper in Huntington Beach, saving renters about $7,692/year.

Median household income is $61,977/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntington Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 227 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $641/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $61,977/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Sunnyvale details →

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