Huntington Beach CA vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 8.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 57.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 2.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 12.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $67,449 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $40,112 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 37.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 54.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 38.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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