Huntington WV vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Tie
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 85.0% | 72.9% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.3% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $265,013 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 46.8% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Winston-Salem
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Winston-Salem
1999
Tie
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Winston-Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 42.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.4% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Winston-Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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