Huntington Beach CA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 7.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 44.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 3.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 9.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $64,017 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $37,433 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 17.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 32.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 45.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 39.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. 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%.
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