Huntington WV vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Lynchburg
79,255
Lynchburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Lynchburg
4.6%
Lynchburg +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 79,255 | Lynchburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 4.6% | Lynchburg + |
| White | 85.0% | 62.2% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $30,004 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $264,994 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 49.1% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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