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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

Irvine is 13% more expensive than Huntington Beach.

$2,893/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↓ 16%
$129,647/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↓ 8%
$1,115,400 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↓ 6%
$2,904/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↓ 16%
308,160
Population
196,010

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $469/month cheaper in Huntington Beach, saving renters about $5,628/year.

Median household income is $9,762/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is Irvine or Huntington Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntington Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 227 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $469/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $9,762/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with rent of $2,424/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Huntington Beach details →

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