Huntington Beach CA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 75,721 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 64.3% | 48.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 6.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 45.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Renton
24.0%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Renton
8.9%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.0% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton 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