Athens GA vs Huntington WV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Huntington
34.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Athens
57.6%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 46,189 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 1.8% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 26.2% | 6.5% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 2.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Athens +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $43,146 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $30,024 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $50,163 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 27.4% | Athens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.4% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 52.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Huntington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Huntington
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 56.1°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.1 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Huntington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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