Huntington Beach CA vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 174,693 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.9 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 64.3% | 44.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $109,511 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $45,626 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 8.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 37.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rancho Cucamonga +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $791,317 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, 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 +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 30.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Huntington Beach +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 34.6 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while rancho Cucamonga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $791,317. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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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