Huntington WV vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 85.0% | 73.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $429,253 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 46.6% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 20.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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