Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Huntington Beach is 127% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,424/mo ↑ 85%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 46%
$119,885/yr ↑ 88%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 47%
$1,047,300 ↑ 199%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 67%
$2,436/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 44%
196,010
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,113/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $13,356/year.

Median household income is $55,985/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Wilmington?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,113/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Wilmington?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $55,985/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Wilmington details →

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