Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 43.4 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 79.7% | 64.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
55.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $1,364,265 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 55.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 31.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA