Huntington Beach CA vs Portland 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
12.4%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 8.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 11.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $88,792 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $55,312 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 52.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 28.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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%.
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