Huntington WV vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 85.0% | 54.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $28,819 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 28.6% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $196,465 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 48.9% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.4% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.2% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 66.6°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, 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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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