Huntington Beach CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 12.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 59.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 8.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 13.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $83,857 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $44,756 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 33.5% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 37.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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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