Huntington Beach CA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
12.2%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 176,666 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 3.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $71,900 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $36,477 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 31.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 55.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Salem
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 41.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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