Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Huntington Beach, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 27.9% more expensive than Huntington Beach, CA. This translates to spending an extra $2094 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Huntington Beach, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Huntington Beach, CA, you'd need approximately $175,129.87 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Huntington Beach, CA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 62.8% more expensive than in Huntington Beach, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $3,340/month in Huntington Beach, CA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $2094 more per month than Huntington Beach, CA, or $25130 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Huntington Beach, CA vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Huntington Beach, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.1K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $175.1K in San Francisco, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 27.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,094

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$25.1K

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

100 = national average

Median Home:$1.32M

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

128

(28% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Huntington Beach, CA

The Golden State

192K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Huntington Beach, CA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Huntington Beach, CA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$6,003/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $3,768more	62.8%
Healthcare	$551/mo	$706/mo	↑ $155more	28.1%
Other	$1,724/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $151more	8.7%
Groceries	$1,039/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $120more	11.5%
All Utilities	$557/mo	$448/mo	↓ $109less	19.6%
Transportation	$2,158/mo	$2,158/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Housing

↑ 62.8%

Huntington Beach, CA

$6,003

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$3,768

Healthcare

↑ 28.1%

Huntington Beach, CA

$551

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$155

Other

↑ 8.7%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,724

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$151

Groceries

↑ 11.5%

Huntington Beach, CA

$1,039

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$120

All Utilities

↓ 19.6%

Huntington Beach, CA

$557

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$109

less

Transportation

→ 0.0%

Huntington Beach, CA

$2,158

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,770

To$2,460

↓ $310

1 Bed

From$2,830

To$2,950

↑ $120

2 Bed

From$3,340

To$3,570

↑ $230

3 Bed

From$4,530

To$4,560

↑ $30.00

Huntington Beach, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,730–$2,920/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$4,084

Difference

Home Values

Huntington Beach

San Francisco

$1.32M

Median Value

$1.25M

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +45.5%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$1.20M - $1.49M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 6% less expensive than Huntington Beach

Calculate payment - Huntington Beach Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

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

San Francisco, 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

Additional Tax Information

Huntington Beach, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.