Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Huntington Beach, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 33.0% cheaper than Huntington Beach, CA. This translates to saving $2474 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Huntington Beach, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Huntington Beach, CA, you'd need approximately $120,311.688 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Huntington Beach, CA and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 53.5% cheaper than in Huntington Beach, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $3,340/month in Huntington Beach, CA.

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

Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Phoenix, AZ could save you approximately $2474 per month, or $29688 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Huntington Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

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 Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $120.3K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↓ 33.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,474

Savings

Annual Impact

$29.7K

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

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:67

Median Home:$414K

Huntington Beach, CA

The Golden State

192K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Huntington Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Huntington Beach, CA	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,003/mo	$2,788/mo	↓ $3,215less	53.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,489/mo	↓ $669less	31.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,039/mo	$963/mo	↓ $75.94less	7.3%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,677/mo	↓ $46.87less	2.7%
🏥Healthcare	$551/mo	$589/mo	↑ $37.17more	6.7%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$561/mo	↑ $3.82more	0.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 53.5%

Huntington Beach, CA

$6,003

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$3,215

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 31.0%

Huntington Beach, CA

$2,158

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$669

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.3%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,039

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$75.94

less

📦Other

↓ 2.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,724

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$46.87

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$551

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$37.17

⚡All Utilities

↑ 0.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$557

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$3.82

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,770

To$1,390

↓ $1,380

1 Bed

From$2,830

To$1,510

↓ $1,320

2 Bed

From$3,340

To$1,750

↓ $1,590

3 Bed

From$4,530

To$2,330

↓ $2,200

Huntington Beach, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,730–$2,920/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/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

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$3,966

Difference

Home Values

Huntington Beach

Phoenix

$1.32M

Median Value

$414K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +45.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$1.20M - $1.49M

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 69% less expensive than Huntington Beach

Calculate payment - Huntington Beach Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$449

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.6%

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

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Huntington Beach, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 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.