Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 196,010 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 43.4 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $1,364,265 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 31.2 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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