Huntington Beach, CA vs Walnut Creek, CA

Huntington Beach, CA and Walnut Creek, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Huntington Beach scores 200 while Walnut Creek scores 205 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month compared to $2,613/month in Walnut Creek — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Huntington Beach has cheaper rent, Walnut Creek actually has lower median home values ($1,031,100 vs $1,047,300).

Median household income in Huntington Beach is $119,885 compared to $135,665 in Walnut Creek (-11.6%). While Walnut Creek is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Huntington Beach spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.1% in Walnut Creek.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 62°F). Walnut Creek receives more rainfall at 16.1" per year compared to 11.2" in Huntington Beach.