Huntington WV vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 85.0% | 53.8% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $435,807 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 51.2% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | 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%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 61.1°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 46.2 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.1 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Huntington, WV vs New York, NYHuntington, WV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntington, WVHouston, TX vs Huntington, WVHuntington, WV vs Phoenix, AZHuntington, WV vs Philadelphia, PA