Huntington Beach, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Huntington Beach is a large city in California with a population of 196,010. Residents earn $119,885 per year, which is 60% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
196,010 Population 7,265/sq mi density
$119,885 Median Income $62,450 per capita
$1,047,300 Home Value $1,333,570 Zillow
$2,424 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature 331 sunny days/yr
196 Violent Crime/100K 2,128 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$119,885 median income, 3.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.7 / 5.0
$1,047,300 home value, $2,424/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
196 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $119,885
60% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,047,300
272% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 196/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 47.2%
40% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,424
108% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 23.9%
26% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.6%
63% lower than US avg

How Huntington Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population196,010
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density7,265/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

A+
Median Income$119,885
Per Capita$62,450
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty4.6%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute29 min

Housing

D
Home Value$1,047,300
Rent$2,424
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,333,570

Crime

F
Violent196/100K
Property2,128/100K
Murder0.5/100K
Assault123/100K
Burglary323/100K

Health

Obesity23.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain29.5 in/yr
Sunny Days331/yr
Elevation52 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+47.2%
High School+93.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute29 min
EV Stations58
Libraries67

Is Huntington Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Huntington Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Huntington Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Huntington Beach is $119,885, which is significantly higher than the national average — 60% above $75,149. This places Huntington Beach among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300, making it a premium housing market at 272% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,424 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Huntington Beach is below the national average at 196 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,128 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 47.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Huntington Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 331 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 29.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Huntington Beach has a population of 196,010 with a density of 7,265 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.3%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

196,010
Total Population
7,265
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
27.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Huntington Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.2%
2% below US avg
Spanish22.8%
70% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Huntington Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Huntington Beach is $119,885, which is 60% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Huntington Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$119,885
60% above US avg
Per Capita Income$62,450
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.6%
63% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home19.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300, 272% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,424 (108% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,333,570.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,047,300
272% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,333,570
Median List Price$1,400,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,400,000
$/Sq Ft$775
Homes Sold93
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops18.6%
Inventory274

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,424
108% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,023

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate0.96%
In Huntington Beach, 23.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Huntington Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity23.9%
26% below US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate71.9%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Huntington Beach has a violent crime rate of 196 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,128 per 100,000 (9% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Huntington Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent196.3/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.5/100K
92% below US avg
Rape22.6/100K
Robbery50.2/100K
Assault123.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,128.0/100K
9% above US avg
Burglary322.9/100K
Theft1,654.5/100K
Vehicle Theft150.6/100K
Arson10.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Huntington Beach has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.5 inches. The area enjoys 331 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average61.7°F
14% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days331 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.5 inches
22% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation52 ft (16 m)
Area27.0 sq mi (69.9 km²)
Population Density7,265/sq mi
Coordinates33.6980°N, 118.0038°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 47.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+47.2%
40% above US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density7,265/sq mi
Total Area27.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations58
Alt Fuel Stations82
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home19.4%

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