Huntington Beach CA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 64.3% | 50.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Modesto
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $77,899 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $34,656 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 13.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 20.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Modesto
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Modesto
2388
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 36.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Modesto 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%.
Compare More Cities
Huntington Beach, CA vs New York, NYHuntington Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntington Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Huntington Beach, CAHuntington Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZHuntington Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA