Huntington Beach CA vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Medford
N/A
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Medford
N/A
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 64.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 33.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. 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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