Huntington Beach CA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 64.3% | 40.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 15.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $1,369,171 | Huntington Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 38.5% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 33.9 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while huntington Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,364,265. On public safety, San Francisco 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 Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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