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

Huntington Beach

California

227

Vancouver

Washington

123

Huntington Beach is 104% more expensive than Vancouver.

$2,424/mo ↑ 49%

Median Rent

$1,632/mo ↓ 33%

$119,885/yr ↑ 53%

Median Income

$78,156/yr ↓ 35%

$1,047,300 ↑ 138%

Home Value

$440,300 ↓ 58%

$2,436/mo ↑ 52%

Owner Costs

$1,607/mo ↓ 34%

196,010

Population

192,696

Tax Comparison

13.3%

Income Tax

7.25%

Sales Tax

6.5%

0.71%

Property Tax

0.92%

Affordability

24.3%

rent-to-income

Affordability

25.1%

rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Vancouver, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 123 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $792/month cheaper in Vancouver, saving renters about $9,504/year.

Median household income is $41,729/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $440,300 in Vancouver.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Vancouver residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Vancouver — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Vancouver cheaper to live in?

Based on our cost index, Vancouver is cheaper to live in with an index of 123 compared to 227 (US average = 100).

What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Vancouver?

Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Vancouver it's $1,632/month — a difference of $792/month.

Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Vancouver?

Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $78,156 in Vancouver. Median household income is $41,729/year higher in Huntington Beach.

How do taxes compare between California and Washington?

California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.

Should I move to Huntington Beach or Vancouver?

It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.