Huntington Beach CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
16.1%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 16.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 63.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 7.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $78,448 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $45,180 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 35.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 49.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 28.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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