Huntington Beach CA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 6.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 2.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 7.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $65,745 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $38,200 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 32.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 35.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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