Huntington Beach CA vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 81,679 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 4.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 47.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 2.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 4.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $56,864 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $35,847 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 23.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 29.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 45.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 18.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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