Huntington WV vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 85.0% | 66.9% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 4.9% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $865,610 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 28.8% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 65.6°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 28.0 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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