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

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Huntington Beach is 199% more expensive than Waterbury.

$2,424/mo ↑ 105%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 51%
$119,885/yr ↑ 132%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 57%
$1,047,300 ↑ 465%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 82%
$2,436/mo ↑ 91%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 48%
196,010
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.99%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,244/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $14,928/year.

Median household income is $68,243/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Connecticut has a lower income tax rate, making Waterbury slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Waterbury?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $1,244/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Waterbury?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $68,243/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Connecticut?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Waterbury details →

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