Huntington WV vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.4 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 85.0% | 72.2% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 20.9% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $210,384 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.4% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 43.7 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | 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
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.5 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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