Huntington Beach CA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 64.3% | 50.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $104,321 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $54,678 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Diego +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $1,006,261 | San Diego + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 47.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while san Diego offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,006,261. On public safety, San Diego 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 San Diego 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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