Living in Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Beach is the 137th-largest city in the US, home to about 191,000 people in 2025. It has lost 3.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (113.6 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

191,451-3.7% since 2020

Median home value

$1,100,0009.1 years of median income

Median rent

$2,510/morent plus utilities

Household income

$120,919median, per year

Price level

113.6US average = 100

January / July highs

67° / 79°lows 49° / 66°

Average commute

28 min22% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in Huntington Beach

The median home in Huntington Beach is worth $1,100,000 and the median household earns $120,919 a year, so a typical home costs about 9.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,510 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area at 113.6, with housing at 170.4 and goods at 106.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $85,200 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.

All items113.6

Housing170.4

Goods106.6

Utilities158.6

Other services104.4

What would my salary be worth in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach weather

Average highs run from 67°F in January to 79°F in July, and January nights average 49°F. It gets 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Huntington Beach

People and work

The median resident is 44.0 years old, and 49% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 55% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 28 minutes; 22% of workers work from home.

Median age

44.0529th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

49%adults 25+

Homeowners

55%of households

People per sq mile

7,09627.0 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

1%2% walk, 0.8% bike

Unemployment

5.4%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

7.8%of residents

Typical home built

1974median year

Who moves to Huntington Beach, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Riverside (Riverside County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and San Jose (Santa Clara County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Riverside (Riverside County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Huntington Beach

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Disneyland Theme park 8 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Angel Stadium of Anaheim 9 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Dodger Stadium 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• La Brea Tar Pits Museum 31 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art Museum 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of Southern California 27 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles Museum 27 miles
  BeenWant to go
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Botanical garden 29 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Norton Simon Museum Museum 31 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Los Angeles Zoo Zoo 34 miles
  BeenWant to go
• California State University-Long Beach 8 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Disney California Adventure Theme park 8 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Huntington Beach

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Huntington Beach

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Huntington Beach

Freezing nights are rare here.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Santa Ana John Wayne Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Huntington Beach.

Wildfire smoke in Huntington Beach

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Huntington Beach on about 36 days a year, including about 6 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Huntington Beach

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 78,307 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Huntington Beach

Downtown Huntington Beach is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Long Beach Unified School District (62,644 students), Irvine Unified School District (38,028 students), Garden Grove Unified School District (37,009 students), Santa Ana Unified School District (36,036 students), Anaheim Union High School District (26,120 students), Orange Unified School District (23,823 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Huntington Beach's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Huntington Beach's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• San Jose, CA67% matchCompare
• Hayward, CA65% matchCompare
• Milpitas, CA63% matchCompare
• San Leandro, CA62% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Huntington Beach

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 98 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Borrego Springs International Dark Sky Community 99 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 121 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Huntington Beach

• Buckhorn Ski Club 44 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mount Waterman 44 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mount Baldy Ski Lifts 44 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kratka Ridge 44 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Huntington Beach

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
• Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.

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Cons

• Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 9.1 years of median household income.
• Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
• Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
• Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
• Data The population has shrunk 3.7% since 2020.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Orange County (FEMA rates it very high), led by inland flooding, earthquake and wildfire.

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Huntington Beach report card from locals

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Cities near Huntington Beach

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Huntington Beach ranks 66th of 144 in our best suburbs of Los Angeles ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Huntington Beach with another city

Huntington Beach vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Huntington Beach a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, a shrinking population. Compare Huntington Beach side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Huntington Beach?

The Census Bureau estimates Huntington Beach had 191,451 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 198,794 in April 2020 (-3.7%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Huntington Beach?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,200 in the Huntington Beach area. The median household here earns $120,919.

When is the best time to visit Huntington Beach?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 79°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.

What county is Huntington Beach in?

Huntington Beach is in Orange County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Huntington Beach in?

Huntington Beach is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Huntington Beach?

About 39 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does California have a state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Huntington Beach. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Santa Ana John Wayne Airport, CA station; snowfall from Santa Ana Fire Stn, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.