Huntington Beach CA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 64.3% | 28.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $94,813 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $57,746 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 28.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 26.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 40.3 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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