Huntington Beach CA vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 121,537 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 6.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 59.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 2.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 7.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $61,454 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $39,861 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 19.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 40.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 55.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 34.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 16.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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