Huntington WV vs Huntsville AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.4 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 85.0% | 58.4% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Huntsville
$51,690
Huntsville +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $51,690 | Huntsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $288,707 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 40.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.2% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 62.1°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 54.3 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.0 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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