Huntington Beach CA vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 149,785 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 15.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 52.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 2.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $88,026 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $35,820 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 25.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 41.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 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
Huntington Beach +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 31.7 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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