Alexandria VA vs Huntington Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 43.4 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
47.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $62,450 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 47.2% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $1,364,265 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.2% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 31.2 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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