Huntington Beach CA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 190,214 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 64.3% | 40.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 5.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $66,772 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $36,694 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 20.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 34.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 34.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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