Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Athens
57.6%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 43.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 57.6% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Huntington Beach
47.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 47.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $1,364,265 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington Beach
8.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA