Huntington WV vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 48.4 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 85.0% | 74.1% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 26.8% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $312,001 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 72.6°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 54.8 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.6 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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