Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Huntington
2.0%
Huntington +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 46,189 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 11.8% | 6.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.3% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 2.0% | Huntington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Huntington
$50,163
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $43,146 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $30,024 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $50,163 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 27.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 34.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Huntington
52.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Huntington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Huntington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Huntington
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 46.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 24.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 56.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 43.1 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Huntington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Huntington
20.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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