Huntington Beach CA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 49.2 | Huntington Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 5.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 9.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $107,372 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Scottsdale
$858,307
Scottsdale +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $858,307 | Scottsdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 26.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while scottsdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $858,307. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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