Huntington WV vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 85.0% | 59.1% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $225,222 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 67.6°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 61.0 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.5 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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