Huntington WV vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 85.0% | 41.5% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Rochester
26.6%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $46,628 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.9% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 26.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 29.9% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $241,627 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 37.2% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.9% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.6 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Huntington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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