Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Huntington Beach is 63% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,424/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 26%
$119,885/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 18%
$1,047,300 ↑ 118%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 54%
$2,436/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 18%
196,010
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $632/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $7,584/year.

Median household income is $21,468/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Texas has no state income tax, giving The Woodlands residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $632/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $21,468/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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