Huntington WV vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 85.0% | 39.1% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 28.0% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $313,219 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 48.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
North Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
North Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 26.8 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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