Huntington WV vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.6 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 85.0% | 75.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 4.8% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 31.0% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $422,520 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.5% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 32.8 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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