Huntington WV vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 85.0% | 53.6% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 34.2% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $232,133 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.8 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Huntington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Huntington, WV vs New York, NYHuntington, WV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntington, WVHouston, TX vs Huntington, WVHuntington, WV vs Phoenix, AZHuntington, WV vs Philadelphia, PA