Huntington Beach vs Irvine, CA: comparing cost of living

Living in California sounds like a dream – easy access to the ocean, fantastic weather, delicious food, and much more. California has something for everyone. The problem is deciding which city in the Golden State is the one for you. In this article, we will be comparing the cost of living in Huntington Beach vs Irvine CA, and offering some pros of living in both of these cities. After careful deliberation, Orange County moving services will be of great help when making your relocation regardless of your chosen location.

Learn more about the cost of living in both cities

The first thing to keep in mind before moving to California is how expensive it actually is. Before committing yourself to the SoCal relocation, establish a financial cushion, both for your moving and storage expenses. However, your safest option is to land a job before you move, especially if your company offers to cover your moving expenses. If you find yourself in need of a secure place to store your valuables from your previous home, vaulted storage Orange County is your safest option.

Renting prices Huntington Beach vs Irvine CA

The average rent for a studio apartment in Huntington Beach, CA is $1,925. Rent prices for 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments go for $2,355 and $2,985 respectively. Although California is quite a pricey state, some of the cheaper neighborhoods in Huntington Beach are Huntington Harbour, Adams, and Bolsa Chica – Heil, with the average rent being between $2300 and $2600.

In Irvine, CA, the median price for renting a studio apartment is $2,677. For a 1-bedroom apartment, the average is $2,937, whereas a 2-bedroom usually goes for $3,695 a month. The most affordable neighborhood in Irvine is Northpark Square, where the average 1-bedroom apartment rent is $1,600. Some of the other cheaper neighborhoods are Orange County Great Par and Deerfield, with rent for a 1-bedroom apartment on average being between $2,000 and $2,500.

counting money for the move Huntington Beach vs Irvine, CA
Save up money before moving to California, as it’s one of the most expensive states

Real estate prices

Huntington Beach consists of 17 neighborhoods. There are 487 homes for sale, ranging from $70K to $12.5M. Trending up 27.5% year-over-year, the median listing home price in Huntington Beach, CA is $1.3M. The home price per square foot was on average $725.

Irvine is a city consisting of 24 neighborhoods. Additionally, there are 639 homes for sale, ranging from $398K to $40M. Similar to Huntington Beach, the median listing home price in Irvine, CA is $1.4M. The median listing home price per square foot was $712.

Much like most cities in California, both Huntington Beach and Irvine have a seller’s market, which means there are more people looking to buy real estate than there are available houses.

Living costs Huntington Beach vs Irvine, CA

For both renters and homeowners in Irvine, CA, utility bills come each month. That being said, utilities typically cost $140 on a monthly basis – electrical bills, water, gas heating, and cooling included. Electrical costs are 34% higher than the American average at 15.98¢ per kilowatt-hour. With Irvine’s phenomenal dining scene and expensive groceries, expect to spend $600-700 on average a month. However, if you’re a big foodie it’s easy to get carried away and spend much more.

On average, residents of Huntington Beach CA spend about $311 per month on electricity. That adds up to $3,732 per year. That’s 34% higher than the national average electric bill of $2,780. Furthermore, the average amount of money spent on food is $600 a month – groceries and occasional dining out included.

perfect weather in Huntington Beach
Don’t worry about the weather as both Huntington Beach and Irvine offer many sunny days

Why should you move to Irvine, Ca?

Irvine, CA is one of the safest and wealthiest cities in the U.S. and it’s located in sunny Orange County. With a booming economy and amazing educational opportunities, it’s no wonder so many people decide to call Irvine their home. If you as well decide Irvine is where your next home should be, movers Irvine Ca will take the job of relocating off your hands and save you time and energy.

Some pros of moving to Irvine, Ca:

  • Education – It’s no secret that Irvine is a destination for education. Irvine’s public schools and universities consistently rank among the best in California.
  • Dining scene – Irvin’s residents can enjoy global cuisine with food from Chile to Vietnam, India, and Thailand thanks to Irvine’s international community
  • Safety –Irvine has ranked with the Lowest Violent Crime Rate in America for the last 11 years according to FBI statistics
  • Job opportunities – Irvine has over 15,000 companies within its city limits including corporate headquarters and international businesses. Over 150,000 jobs are provided by two major business centers – Irvine Business Complex and Irvine Spectrum.

Why should you move to Huntington Beach, Ca?

Huntington Beach, CA is one of the cities in Orange County known for its laidback atmosphere. With a beautiful seaside, it’s a dream location for those who have always wanted to live near water. Likewise, Huntington Beach is a go-to place for those who want to experience lively nightlife.

If you find yourself wanting to make Huntington Beach your new home, your best option is to hire movers Huntington Beach, who will go above and beyond to make your relocation as smooth as possible.

Some pros of moving to Huntington Beach, Ca

  • The Beach – A fabulous seaside awaits you in Huntington Beach – surfing, swimming, and sunbathing will be your new favorite free time activities
  • Nightlife – There is nothing left to be desired in Huntington Beach – live music, fine dining, and craft breweries. Huntington Beach is an ideal place for a night out
  • Lifestyle – Huntington Beach is known for its upbeat energy and carefree lifestyle
  • Weather – California has an amazing climate and Huntington Beach is the perfect example of it – sunny days all year round
people in a park with a dog
Expect to have fun in California whether you choose Huntington Beach or Irvine

Bottom line: Huntington Beach vs Irvine CA

Hopefully, this article has helped solve your dilemma of Huntington Beach vs Irvine CA. Whichever city you choose, you should know you’ve made the right decision. California welcomes newcomers with open arms. After settling in be sure to get that infamous California tan!

Get Your Free Quote Now

What Our Clients Say

4.8
Sandy S.
1 week ago
I highly recommend AR moving. I had to move furniture from an assisted living location into a public storage facility. From talking with Lillian on the phone to working with Carlos & Luis during the move, everything went smoothly & efficiently. Furniture pieces were carefully wrapped, loaded & transported to the storage unit. Everyone was friendly & professional.
Ryan D.
1 week ago
Fast, friendly, and professional. Great experience and I will definitely use them again.
Mckenna L.
3 weeks ago
Affordable Reliable Moving and Storage was good
Ok B.
3 months ago
Moving is never fun, and rarely goes smoothly. But AR Moving (Affordable Reliable Moving) changed all that. True to their name, they were among the lowest...
Jeff S.
6 months ago
This company recently moved my elderly mother locally. They were fast and efficient. Nothing broken and the cost was fair. Showed up when they said they...
Melissa B.
9 months ago
This company is the real deal! From the initial contact with Tyler who organized the move and was very communicative and available to answer any questions, to the day of, everything exceeded my expectations. Our crew consisted of Armando, Edwin and John who were all fantastic! They worked so hard solution seeking and navigating our new space (which has a very tight stairwell and is 3 stories) not to mention moving everything out of our old apartment which was also on the 3rd floor (no elevator). They wrapped our furniture and took great care handling all of our boxes and fragile pieces. Seriously, these are some of the hardest working guys I have ever seen and they had a great attitude the whole time! I highly recommend them and will be using them again for my next move. Worth every penny. Thanks again for the 5 star service!
Cheryl M.
1 year ago
Everything from getting a quote to moving my personal belongings to another state went off without a hitch! I received a quote for this move which included...
Mario Q.
1 year ago
I had an amazing experience with Affordable Reliable Moving and Storage during my recent move in Irvine. From start to finish, the team lived up to their name—affordable, reliable, and truly professional. They showed up on time, handled everything with care, and made what could’ve been a stressful day feel totally under control. The crew was friendly, efficient, and even managed to navigate my oddly shaped furniture through tight corners without a scratch. I was especially impressed by how organized they were—labeling everything, wrapping fragile items, and keeping things moving like a well-oiled machine. If you’re moving in the Irvine area (or anywhere nearby), I can’t recommend them enough. Five stars all the way!
Christopher B.
1 year ago
Matt, Luis, and Armando worked well as a team. On time, careful, and finished under the quoted estimate. Well worth the money spent. Thank you!!!!
Gordon M.
1 year ago
Thanks to the AWESOME team who moved us!! They were on time and worked VERY hard and professionally to pack and move two locations into one! Big thanks to our guys!!!
Macaroa F.
1 year ago
This moving company is the best! I have used a few other moving companies before and this one is excellent. I would use this company again if we need to move again and I would recommend it to friends/family. The movers, Luis, Armando, and Matt were very kind, respectful, careful, coordinated, hard-working and positive. I had never had movers who were this amazing before. They go above and beyond. Thank you to Affordable Reliable Moving Company and thank you to Luis, Armando, and Matt!
Ian E.
2 years ago
Very professional, timely and well organized. Overall couldn’t be more glad to have chosen them
Kira B.
2 years ago
Great Moving Company!
K S.
2 years ago
My move couldn't have gone better. From my first call with Lillian I knew I'd be in good hands. She was kind and conscientious and I felt heard and a priority. The system the company has for updates worked well and made me feel comfortable knowing I was on their radar. My movers, Anthony and Jesse, were communicative, on time, efficient and clean. Very nice guys who were were flexible and understanding. It seemed like they really wanted me to be happy. I will need more moving help in the next couple months and I will be calling this company again to help me. I will also be requesting Jesse and Anthony. I will be recommending to my family and friends. Thank you so much
Daisy G.
2 years ago
Excellent service! I called within 24 hours and they were able to arrange the move, and big kudos to Spencer, Louis and Tony, they are polite, courteous and very profesional, I will for sure use their service again in the future.
L W.
2 years ago
They did a great job and I highly recommend them. The crew showed up on time, organized and used the time efficiently. The guys were super helpful and moved me out of a storage unit and into my new place with ease. They were respectful of my items and my home. I would refer them to friends and family and use them again. Best moving experience I’ve ever had.
GAIUS B.
2 years ago
Showed up early, friendly and professional. Matt, Armondo and Derek were a pleasure to work with. I would definitely use them again, and recommend.
Evan S.
2 years ago
Exceeded expectations. The AR team was punctual, fully prepared (had everything needed to expedite the move), and professional. Absolutely no drama and no breakage. Highly recommend. Shout to Matt and Armando for a fantastic job.
Rob M.
2 years ago
The team was very fast and careful with our belongings, I would definitely recommend them!
Jack T.
2 years ago
I'm a repeat customer. I've made dozens of moves over the decades, and the last two moves by Affordable Reliable Movers were the best I've ever had. They arrived on time, quickly and carefully packed my furnishings and delivered everything to the new address. Outstanding company and excellent service.
Jackson B.
2 years ago
Professional movers ensured a smooth move, though the process took longer than expected. Careful handling of my belongings made it a reliable option, despite the extended moving time.
Shyaan E.
2 years ago
Derek is very knowledgeable and professional. He is an industry veteran and helped me greatly with my questions when I needed to move. While we ended up packing ourself, I would highly recommend Affordable Reliable Moving Company to anyone looking for help moving.
Jeff F.
2 years ago
"I can't say enough great things about Affordable Reliable Moving Company! They helped move my 500 LB safe from my second-floor office to the 1st floor, and they did it quickly and safely in under an hour. The team was professional, efficient, and handled everything with care. I was impressed by their skill and attention to detail. Highly recommend them for your safe and or any heavy lifting or moving needs!"
Chelsea T.
2 years ago
This is our 2nd move with Affordable Reliable Moving, and they are absolutely fantastic. Today, we have Spencer, Luis, and Jesse -- they were ON TIME (a little early, in fact), super fast with the big item packing and moving, genuinely nice, and incredibly efficient. They provide wardrobe boxes, mattress covers, furniture packing, electronics (TV packing), and blankets. Booking online and over the phone was super easy both times. Highly, highly recommend this company for anyone moving in SoCal!
Gary K.
2 years ago
These guys did a great job moving my office and would highly recommend them. I had a couple of nice pieces of furniture and they white-gloved them up the stairs to my 2nd story office. All Pro!

Get Your Free Moving Estimate Today!

GET A QUOTE
Call Now Button