Is Austin, TX cheaper than Huntington Beach, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 33.1% cheaper than Huntington Beach, CA. This translates to saving $2484 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Huntington Beach, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Huntington Beach, CA, you'd need approximately $120,194.805 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Huntington Beach, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 51.9% cheaper than in Huntington Beach, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $3,340/month in Huntington Beach, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Austin, TX?

Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2484 per month, or $29805 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Huntington Beach, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Huntington Beach, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Santa Ana, CA area

Current salary in Huntington Beach, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $120.2K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 33.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,484

Savings

Annual Impact

$29.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Huntington Beach, CA

Population:192K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.32M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:67

Median Home:$558K

Huntington Beach, CA

The Golden State

192K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 192K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Huntington Beach, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Huntington Beach, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,003/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,118less	51.9%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $874less	40.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,039/mo	$959/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$551/mo	$589/mo	↑ $37.17more	6.7%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $16.74more	1.0%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$541/mo	↓ $16.39less	2.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 51.9%

Huntington Beach, CA

$6,003

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,118

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 40.5%

Huntington Beach, CA

$2,158

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$874

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,039

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$79.94

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$551

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$37.17

📦Other

↑ 1.0%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,724

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$16.74

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.9%

Huntington Beach, CA

$557

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$16.39

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,770

To$1,585

↓ $1,185

1 Bed

From$2,830

To$1,685

↓ $1,145

2 Bed

From$3,340

To$1,995

↓ $1,345

3 Bed

From$4,530

To$2,525

↓ $2,005

Huntington Beach, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,730–$2,920/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$12,034

Monthly in Huntington Beach, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$4,035

Difference

Home Values

Huntington Beach

Austin

$1.32M

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +45.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$1.20M - $1.49M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 58% less expensive than Huntington Beach

Calculate payment - Huntington Beach Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Huntington Beach, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Huntington Beach, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.