Huntington WV vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Huntington
85.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 85.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $527,542 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Huntington +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.1% | Huntington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 28.6% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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