Compton, CA vs Huntington Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Compton, CA and Huntington Beach, CA is dramatic. Compton is 33.1% cheaper than Huntington Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Compton has a cost index of 134 while Huntington Beach sits at 200, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Compton is $1,601/month compared to $2,424/month in Huntington Beach — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Compton is more affordable at $546,700 median vs $1,047,300.

Median household income in Compton is $74,270 compared to $119,885 in Huntington Beach (-38%). While Huntington Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Compton spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 24.3% in Huntington Beach.