Huntington WV vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.4 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 85.0% | 84.3% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.6% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $534,732 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.6% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 23.6 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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