Huntington WV vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Huntington +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Huntington +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Jackson
2.2%
Jackson +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 1.5% | Huntington + |
| White | 85.0% | 14.5% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 0.3% | Huntington + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 2.2% | Jackson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Jackson
$43,238
Jackson +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Huntington +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $43,238 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $26,868 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $46,995 | Huntington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 9.4% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 28.6% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 48.6% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Jackson
46.0%
Jackson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Huntington +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 46.0% | Jackson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.4% | Huntington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 64.6°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 54.1 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Huntington +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Huntington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.9 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jackson leads in median household income at $43,238, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. 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, Jackson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 46.0%.
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