2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Huntington Beach, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Huntington Beach older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Huntington Beach is 4.0 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Huntington Beach or Santa Barbara?
- Huntington Beach housing costs are 30.3% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Huntington Beach or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Huntington Beach is 11.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach, California is a beautiful beach city with plenty of attractions for everyone. Nature lovers can explore the miles of shoreline or take a stroll along the iconic Huntington Beach Pier. History buffs should head to The International Surfing Museum to learn more about the area's past. Sports fans can catch a game at Huntington Beach Sports Complex, while foodies can sample all kinds of delicious eats throughout town. Shopping lovers should check out Main Street or Pacific City for good deals on all kinds of items. With its picturesque coastline and myriad activities, Huntington Beach is a great place to visit!

 Santa Barbara, CAHuntington Beach, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock198,735329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock43.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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Reviews for Huntington Beach    33 Reviews

Lived here for a couple months now. Love the beach and the weather. Nice boardwalk to walk or ride your bike. Overall nice clean feel and vibe. Only move here if you  More

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Over 7 years ago

Overdevelopment has ruined the city, Housing is overpriced - overseas investors, corporate housing, sober living houses (there are many throughout the city) and AirB&B  More

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Over 10 years ago

The population of Huntington Beach is much more than that. It was actually 199,189 according to the city's  More

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