Huntington Beach CA vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 57,088 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 10.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 12.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $87,277 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $41,024 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 32.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Kirkland +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $1,274,801 | Kirkland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while kirkland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,274,801. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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