El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 196,010 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 43.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 16.4% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.3% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 19.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
55.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $1,364,265 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA