Hawthorne, CA vs Huntington Beach, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hawthorne is 20.3% cheaper than Huntington Beach. With a cost index of 159 vs 200, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hawthorne to Huntington Beach should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Hawthorne is $1,723/month compared to $2,424/month in Huntington Beach — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hawthorne is more affordable at $813,700 median vs $1,047,300.
Median household income in Hawthorne is $72,719 compared to $119,885 in Huntington Beach (-39.3%). 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 Hawthorne spend roughly 28.4% of their income on rent, more than the 24.3% in Huntington Beach.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.5°F vs 64.9°F). Hawthorne receives more rainfall at 11.8" per year compared to 11.2" in Huntington Beach.
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)