Huntington WV vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.5 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 85.0% | 50.9% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 29.9% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $484,226 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 44.0% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 47.0 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 30.1 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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