Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 46,189 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 1.8% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 2.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Huntington
$43,146
Huntington +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Huntington
27.4%
Huntington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $43,146 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,024 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $50,163 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.6% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 27.4% | Huntington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 34.4% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Huntington
$138,553
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $138,553 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Huntington
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Detroit +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Huntington
15.7%
Huntington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Detroit +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Huntington
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Huntington
20.6%
Huntington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 46.4% | Detroit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.7% | Huntington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 24.0% | Detroit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 20.6% | Huntington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Huntington
43.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 56.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 43.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Huntington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington leads in median household income at $43,146, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Huntington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Detroit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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