Huntington Beach, CA, known as "Surf City USA," is famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant surf culture. Located in Orange County, Huntington Beach is approximately 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. This medium-sized city offers a laid-back coastal lifestyle with all the amenities of a bustling urban area.
The climate in Huntington Beach is characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, making it perfect for beach activities year-round. The city's 10-mile stretch of sandy beaches is ideal for surfing, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. Huntington Central Park and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve provide additional outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and birdwatching.
Huntington Beach is home to a thriving cultural scene, with the International Surfing Museum, the Huntington Beach Art Center, and the historic Newland House Museum. The city hosts numerous events and festivals, such as the US Open of Surfing, the Pacific Airshow, and the Surf City Nights street fair, which draw visitors from all over the world.
Education is well-supported in Huntington Beach, with the Huntington Beach Union High School District and several private schools offering quality education. The city is also within driving distance of several higher education institutions, including the University of California, Irvine, and California State University, Long Beach. This focus on education makes Huntington Beach an attractive place for families.
Living in Huntington Beach combines the charm of a coastal community with the conveniences of urban living. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining and shopping options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and bike-friendly infrastructure make it easy to get around. With its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and strong sense of community, Huntington Beach offers a dynamic and enjoyable living experience.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Schools
The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Huntington Beach is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 199,778 residents. Huntington Beach has a population density of 7,400 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. At 70%, the majority of the Huntington Beach population is White; this is followed by 13% Asian and 1% Black. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Huntington Beach entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Huntington Beach, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Huntington Beach and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.
The livability score in Huntington Beach is 65 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 60th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Huntington Beach has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B-) and employment (A+). On a more negative note, Huntington Beach does not have favorable grades for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Huntington Beach is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Huntington Beach come in at $803,400, which is 96.3% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Huntington Beach, the home price to income ratio is 8.2, which is 28.1% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Huntington Beach | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.3% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 10.7% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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