Huntington Beach CA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
St. Petersburg
43.1
St. Petersburg +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 43.1 | St. Petersburg + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 10.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 1.3% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 3.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 9.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $73,118 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $49,823 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 41.3% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 32.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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