Huntington WV vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.2 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 85.0% | 47.3% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 29.4% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Lake Charles
$204,081
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $204,081 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, 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%
Lake Charles
45.6%
Lake Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Huntington +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 45.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Huntington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.6% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.0% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 62.4 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, 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 Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lake Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.6%.
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