Huntington Beach CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 135,806 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 64.3% | 49.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 7.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $107,474 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 9.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 47.5% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 25.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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