City Report · CA

Huntington Beach

Pop. 195,240·132nd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,056/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
+$1,105
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Huntington Beach · $3,056
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Huntington Beach's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,056/mo
Expected by trend
$3,150/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Huntington Beach's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,373
1 BR
$2,475
2 BR
$2,928
3 BR
$3,960
4 BR+
$4,735
Research median
$2,928/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$36,672/yr
At $3,056/mo median
Market timing
Rents rising
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Demographics

Who lives here

Huntington Beach, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 49% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
195,240
Median income
$120,919
Median age
44
Renters
44.6%
Age distribution
17.5%
21.6%
25.8%
15.6%
19.4%
Under 1817.5%
18–3421.6%
35–5425.8%
55–6415.6%
65+19.4%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
62.8%
18.8%
13.1%
White62.8%
Black1.3%
Hispanic18.8%
Asian13.1%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
16.2%
28.8%
49%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma16.2%
Some college28.8%
Bachelor's+49%
Housing tenure
55.4%
44.6%
Owner55.4%
Renter44.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Huntington Beach, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,313 → $3,056
up 32.1%
Income
$104,728 → $120,919
up 15.5%
Population
198,735 → 195,240
down 1.8%
Renter share
44.2% → 44.6%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
45.2% → 49%
+3.8 pts
Median age
43.1 → 44
+0.9 yrs

Rent in Huntington Beach, CA has increased 32.1% since 2021, going from about $2,313 per month to roughly $3,056 today. Census figures show median household income at $120,919 today, compared with $104,728 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 16.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 198,735 to 195,240 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.8% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45.2% to 49%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Huntington Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Huntington Beach on your salary?

At $3,056/mo, how Huntington Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Huntington Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Huntington Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Huntington Beach

About renting in Huntington Beach, CA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Huntington Beach is $3,056/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,373/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,928/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,475/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,960/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($120,919/yr), Huntington Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Huntington Beach an affordable city for renters?

Huntington Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $3,056/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($120,919/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Huntington Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Huntington Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $122,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,056/mo in Huntington Beach. The local median household income is $120,919/yr, meaning the typical Huntington Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Huntington Beach?

Rent in Huntington Beach has increased 1.6% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Huntington Beach neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Huntington Beach are 92647 ($2,794/mo), 92649 ($3,111/mo), and 92646 ($3,192/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Huntington Beach is $3,056/mo.

How does Huntington Beach rent compare to other cities in California?

Huntington Beach is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #132 out of 384 tracked cities at $3,056/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Huntington Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Huntington Beach ($3,056/mo): Garden Grove ($2,620/mo), Westminster ($2,693/mo), Fountain Valley ($2,706/mo).

What percentage of Huntington Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.6% of Huntington Beach households are renters, while 55.4% are owner-occupied. Huntington Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Huntington Beach rent compare to the national average?

Huntington Beach's median rent of $3,056/mo is $1,105 (57%) above the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within California, it ranks #132 out of 384 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,056/mo, rent takes ~30% of Huntington Beach's median household income ($120,919/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Huntington Beach 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Huntington Beach affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Huntington Beach
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Huntington Beach, CA

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