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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Huntington Beach

California
227

San Jose is 12% more expensive than Huntington Beach.

$2,617/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$2,424/mo ↓ 7%
$141,565/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$119,885/yr ↓ 15%
$1,187,800 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$1,047,300 ↓ 12%
$2,775/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$2,436/mo ↓ 12%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Huntington Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 227 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $193/month cheaper in Huntington Beach, saving renters about $2,316/year.

Median household income is $21,680/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $1,047,300 in Huntington Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Huntington Beach — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Huntington Beach?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Huntington Beach it's $2,424/month — a difference of $193/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Huntington Beach?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $119,885 in Huntington Beach. Median household income is $21,680/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Huntington Beach?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Huntington Beach details →

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