Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Huntington
34.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 46,189 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 1.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.5% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $43,146 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,024 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $50,163 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.6% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 27.4% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 46.4% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 43.1 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Huntington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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