Huntington Beach CA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 1.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 4.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 9.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $67,631 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $42,272 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 53.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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