CostIndexUSA

Huntington, WV vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Huntington
88.4
overall index
$1,025/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Huntington is significantly cheaper than Santa Barbara — 23.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Huntington, you would need $98,500 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+195.1%
Huntington
51.3
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Huntington
96.3
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Huntington
104.4
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Huntington
94.4
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+70.4%
Huntington
87.9
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Huntington to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Barbara to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$98,500
$18,500 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 88.4) = salary × 1.2308. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Huntington, WV

Median Home Price
$156,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,025
Housing Index
51.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 195.1% higher housing costs compared to Huntington.

Income & Job Market

Huntington, WV

Median Household Income
$57,800
Per Capita Income
$32,900
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
43,265
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Huntington, WV
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.