Huntington Beach CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
13.3%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 13.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 39.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 4.1% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 11.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $106,287 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.1% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 24.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.7% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 32.8 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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%.
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