Huntington WV vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Huntington +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 44,998 | Huntington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 57.8 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 85.0% | 69.3% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 5.4% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $503,393 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 63.5°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 24.1 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Huntington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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