Huntington Beach is a picturesque seaside city in Orange County, California, and is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metropolitan Statistical Area. Huntington Beach has a population of 198,711, making it the fourth most populous city in Orange County and the seventh most populous city in the metro area. The city’s sandy beaches, gorgeous weather, and laid-back style of living make Huntington Beach an incredibly desirable place to live.
If you are thinking about moving to Huntington Beach, then you may be curious about whether or not you can afford to live in the area. Here’s what you should know about the Huntington Beach cost of living as well as the daily expenses you may have after moving to the area.
Is Huntington Beach expensive? To answer this question, you should assess the Huntington Beach CA Cost of Living Index. The Cost of Living Index, also known as COLI, compares the cost of goods and services in a given city to the national average.Â
The Huntington Beach, California Cost of Living Index is 180.5. This means that the cost of living in Huntington Beach, CA is 80.5% more expensive than the national average of 100. The cost of living in Huntington Beach is also higher than the California average. California’s Cost of Living Index is 149.9. The cost of groceries, housing, and transportation in Huntington Beach are all higher than the national average, while healthcare and utilities are lower.
Another way to determine the cost of living in Huntington Beach, California, is to take a look at the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. This is a report that is published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report states the average change in prices that consumers pay for goods and services in an area.
The Consumer Price Index in Huntington Beach is up 0.5% over the past month and up 2.5% over the past year. Over the past two months, the cost of food has risen 4.5%, the cost of housing has risen 4.9%, and the cost of medical care has risen 0.4%. On the other hand, the cost of transportation has fallen 6.9%, and the cost of utilities has fallen 1.6%.
The Huntington Beach, CA cost of living can also be measured by the Consumer Expenditure Survey. This survey is conducted by the Census Bureau and is used when calculating the Consumer Price Index. According to the 2020/2021 Consumer Expenditure Survey, households in Huntington Beach spent an average of $70,521 throughout the year. This is higher than every other region in the United States aside from the Northeast region, which spends an average of $70,681 per year. This is also higher than the national average of $64,187.
This is what the average household budget in Huntington Beach breaks down to:
The cost of living in Huntington Beach is above the national average in most categories, such as housing, transportation, and food. It is below the national average in health care and education.
How much does it cost to live in Huntington Beach with my family? According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator, the average household with two adults and two kids would need to earn $114,841 to live in Huntington Beach. This comes out to $9,570 per month. This is what the monthly budget breaks down to:
Depending on your family size, lifestyle, and neighborhood, these numbers will be higher or lower. Some areas in Huntington Beach are more expensive than others, and you will, of course, not have to worry about childcare costs if you do not have children. For a family of two with no children, you would need an average household income of $72,607 per year.Â
Is Huntington Beach affordable? Before moving to the area, it is important to make sure you can afford extra expenses such as utilities, gas, and groceries. Here are a few average expenses you can expect to pay when living in Huntington Beach:
Source: Numbeo
The average car insurance payment in Huntington Beach is $53 per month. The easiest way to get around Orange County is by car, but you can also take advantage of the Orange County Transportation Authority, which has many bus routes throughout the city. The average cost of utilities in Huntington Beach is $166.85.
Thinking about browsing Huntington Beach homes for sale? The Huntington Beach real estate market is at an all time high. The average home price in Huntington Beach, CA is $1,265,000. Huntington Beach, CA real estate prices are up 8.7% compared to last year. Although prices are up, the market is getting less competitive. Homes are sitting on the market for an average of 36 days, compared to 28 days last year.
There are 83,658 housing units in Huntington Beach. 57% of them are owner occupied and 43% of them are renter occupied.
Some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Huntington Beach include Huntington Harbour (average home price of $1.45 million), Newland (average home price of $600,000), and Goldenwest (average home price of $480,000).
Thinking about renting a home or apartment in Huntington Beach? According to RentCafe, the average rent in Huntington Beach, CA is $2,693. Although this is high, it is still lower than many nearby cities, such as Seacliff ($2,990), Yorktown ($2,990), and Garfield ($2,827).
The most affordable neighborhoods in Huntington Beach are Huntington Harbour ($2,414), Adams ($2,512), and Bolsa Chica ($2,629). The most expensive neighborhoods in Huntington Beach are Goldenwest ($2,692), Bolsa Bay ($2,747), and Oak View ($2,777).
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Out of Reach Report, an average worker in Huntington Beach would have to earn $48.83 per hour, or $2,539 per month, to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the city without spending over 30% of their yearly income on housing. This is higher than the California average of $42.25 per hour ($2,197 per month).
According to the 2022 Rental Affordability Report, it is more affordable to rent than to buy in Huntington Beach. When comparing renting vs. buying, you should consider the price-to-rent ratio. The higher the ratio, the better the area is for renters. The lower the ratio, the better the area is for buyers. To calculate the price-to-rent ratio, you need to divide the median annual rent by the median home price.
When you plug Huntington Beach’s numbers into the equation (average home price of $1,265,000 and average rent of $32,316), you get a price-to-rent ratio of 39.14. This is a high price-to-rent ratio, and therefore Huntington Beach is better for renters.
The median household income in Huntington Beach is $104,728. This is higher than the California average of $84,097. According to PayScale, the average salary in Huntington Beach is $81,000 per year. Although the cost of living in Huntington Beach is high, so is the average income and average salary.
If you are searching for jobs in Huntington Beach, then you will be happy to know that there are many opportunities. Huntington Beach is known for its jobs in the oil, tourism, and healthcare industries. Some of the top employers in Huntington Beach include Boeing, Safran Cabin Inc, and Huntington Beach Hospital.
Here are just a few common jobs in Huntington Beach as well as their salaries:
Income tax is tax that is levied on your individual or business-related income. The California income tax rate varies. The state has a progressive income tax system, with nine tax rates ranging from 1% to 12.3%. Any income over $1 million is subject to an additional 1% surcharge.
Sales tax is imposed by the government on the sale of goods and services. The sales tax in Huntington Beach, CA is 7.750% This is how this number breaks down:
California state: 7.250%
Orange County: 0.500%
Huntington Beach: 0.000%
Total: 7.750%
California has the 9th highest sales tax rate in the country.
The Huntington Beach property tax rate is determined by the Orange County Tax Collector. Orange County property taxes are calculated by multiplying the property value less exemptions by the millage rate, which is determined by local taxing authorities. The average Orange County property tax rate is 0.790%, which comes out to a median annual tax bill of $5,588.
If you are considering moving to Huntington Beach, then you may also be considering Santa Monica. It is only about 46 miles from Huntington Beach to Santa Monica, and both cities offer incredible oceanfront views and a high quality of life. But how does the cost of living stack up in each city? The Cost of Living Index in Santa Monica is 271.9. This is 171% higher than the national average and 91.4% higher than the Huntington Beach COLI.
This is how Santa Monica compares to Huntington Beach:
Based on the numbers above, you can see that it is more affordable to live in Huntington Beach than in Santa Monica. The home prices and rent prices are much higher than the prices in Huntington Beach. Utilities are slightly lower in Santa Monica, but only by a few dollars. Although the average salary is higher in Santa Monica, you may find it harder to live comfortably due to the high housing expenses.
The cost of living in Huntington Beach is dependent on many different variables. Although it is expensive to live in the city, the average salary and household income should help you live a comfortable life. If you are ready to move to the area, then you’ll need the best Huntington Beach movers to help you. Our experienced team is ready to make your move as easy and stress free as possible. Give Daly Movers a call today at 714-538-2831 to discuss your move and receive a free quote.
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