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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Huntington Beach is 80% more expensive than Surprise.

$2,424/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↓ 21%
$119,885/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↓ 22%
$1,047,300 ↑ 164%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 62%
$2,436/mo ↑ 53%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 35%
196,010
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $507/month cheaper in Surprise, saving renters about $6,084/year.

Median household income is $26,514/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Surprise slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Surprise — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Surprise?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $507/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Surprise?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $26,514/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Arizona?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Surprise details →

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