Huntington WV vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 85.0% | 21.8% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.4% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $28,813 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 15.5% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $751,711 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 47.0% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 22.4% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 57.3°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 28.8 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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