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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

Sacramento is 42% cheaper than Huntington Beach.

$1,694/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↑ 43%
$83,753/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↑ 43%
$484,600 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↑ 116%
$1,752/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↑ 39%
524,802
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

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $730/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $8,760/year.

Median household income is $36,132/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is Sacramento or Huntington Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $730/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $36,132/year higher in Huntington Beach.
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 Sacramento or Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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.
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