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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Waco

Texas
72

Huntington Beach is 215% more expensive than Waco.

$2,424/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$1,098/mo ↓ 55%
$119,885/yr ↑ 133%
Median Income
$51,468/yr ↓ 57%
$1,047,300 ↑ 425%
Home Value
$199,600 ↓ 81%
$2,436/mo ↑ 123%
Owner Costs
$1,094/mo ↓ 55%
196,010
Population
141,925

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Waco, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 72 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,326/month cheaper in Waco, saving renters about $15,912/year.

Median household income is $68,417/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $199,600 in Waco.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Waco — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Waco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waco is cheaper to live in with an index of 72 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Waco?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Waco it's $1,098/month — a difference of $1,326/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Waco?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $51,468 in Waco. Median household income is $68,417/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Waco?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Waco has a cost index of 72 with rent of $1,098/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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