Huntington WV vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.0 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 85.0% | 57.5% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 28.9% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $279,668 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 51.7% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.0% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 44.5 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 21.6 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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