Huntington Beach CA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 53.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 4.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 13.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $62,995 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $36,194 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 34.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 55.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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