Huntington Beach CA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 71,542 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 4.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 1.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 7.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $55,578 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $31,499 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 18.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 22.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 35.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.5% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Huntington Beach, CA vs New York, NYHuntington Beach, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntington Beach, CAHouston, TX vs Huntington Beach, CAHuntington Beach, CA vs Phoenix, AZHuntington Beach, CA vs Philadelphia, PA