Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Huntington
34.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 46,189 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 1.8% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 39.5% | 6.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.3% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 2.0% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $43,146 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $30,024 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $50,163 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.6% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 27.4% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 52.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Huntington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Huntington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | 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
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 46.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 24.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°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.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Huntington
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Huntington
20.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, 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 Columbia. Huntington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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