Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Huntington Beach is 91% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$2,424/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 29%
$119,885/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 42%
$1,047,300 ↑ 183%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 65%
$2,436/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 32%
196,010
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $715/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $8,580/year.

Median household income is $50,624/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $715/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $50,624/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Huntington Beach and West Palm Beach

Huntington Beach vs. Overland Park Huntington Beach vs. Peoria Huntington Beach vs. Sioux Falls Huntington Beach vs. Knoxville Huntington Beach vs. Grand Rapids Huntington Beach vs. Vancouver West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings