Huntington Beach CA vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
5.3%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 121,944 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 5.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 1.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $59,480 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $31,683 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 20.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 37.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 18.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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