Huntington Beach CA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 82,506 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 48.4 | Huntington Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 3.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 14.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $60,465 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $36,322 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 26.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 38.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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