Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Houston
35.5%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 196,010 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 43.4 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 16.4% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $1,364,265 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.2 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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%.
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