Skyline of Huntington
Cost of Living: 85 46,000

Huntington, WV, US

Home of Marshall University with the Ritter Park and a historic downtown.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Huntington is a city in WV with a population of 46,000. Home of Marshall University with the Ritter Park and a historic downtown. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. The population skews young, with a median age of 34.9.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 88

Affordable

Median Income $45,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Huntington vs US Average

Cost of Living
Huntington: 85
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Huntington: 88
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Huntington: 6.5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $45,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 46,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 175/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 28°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $160,000
  • 1BR Rent: $850/mo

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Cost of Living

Huntington's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100).

CategoryHuntingtonNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing88100-12.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$160,000
Median Rent (1BR)$850/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,063/mo
Price per Sq Ft$106

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Huntington:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$99Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$68Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$302Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Huntington scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 85
Rent
— $850
Sunny Days
— 175
Tax
— 6.5%
Unemployment
— 4.5%
Climate
— 85°F / 28°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 46,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Huntington has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January48°F28°F2.5"
April70°F43°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F46°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Huntington faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Ohio River flooding.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0.59% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Schools & Education

100/100
School Quality Score
?
17
Total Schools

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Huntington is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.3%
Black or African American
6.2%
Hispanic or Latino
2.0%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.2%
Two or more races
5.7%
White
84.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.5%
High school graduate
25.4%
Less than high school
10.8%
Some college
29.3%

Religion

Christian
75.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
19.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Huntington, WV, US?

The cost of living index in Huntington is 85, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Huntington?

The median home price in Huntington is $160,000. The housing index is 88.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Huntington is approximately $850/mo.

Does Huntington, WV have income tax?

Huntington is in WV, which has an income tax rate of 6.5%.

What is the climate like in Huntington?

Huntington enjoys approximately 175 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 28°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.