Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 43.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 74.3% | 64.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
47.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 47.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $1,364,265 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 31.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Columbia 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%.
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