Huntington WV vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.7 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 85.0% | 69.8% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.6% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 31.4% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $438,754 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.6% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.2% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 24.5 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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