Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 196,010 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 43.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 39.3% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $1,364,265 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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