| Index | Huntington | West Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 85 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 94 | 100 |
| Housing | 61 | 62 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 94 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 91 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Huntington allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Huntington stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Huntington. The feedback revealed that 60% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 40% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Huntington affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Huntington, the median home price is 45.1% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Huntington boasting a median household income of $49,260, 39.4% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Huntington, the groceries index is 3% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Huntington, the transportation index is 2.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Huntington, healthcare costs are 6.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Huntington shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $78,744 | $6,562 | $1,837 | $2,363 |
| Renters | $27,690 | $2,308 | $646 | $831 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| West Virginia | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| West Virginia | 3% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Prichard, WV | 333 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Salt Rock, WV | 163 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Catlettsburg, KY | 1,882 | 79 | 20.7% |
| Kenova, WV | 3,095 | 80 | 20.1% |
| Lavalette, WV | 1,295 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Huntington, WV | 47,371 | 85 | 14.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 47,357 | 111 | 11.5% |
| Horizon West, FL | 47,346 | 132 | 31.6% |
| Kyle, TX | 47,247 | 107 | 7.4% |
| Middletown, CT | 47,540 | 113 | 12.8% |
| Fort Pierce, FL | 47,562 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Huntington, WV | 47,371 | 85 | 14.7% |
Here are the best places to live in West Virginia
Check out the 10 safest cities in West Virginia
These are the largest cities in West Virginia
These are the 10 cheapest cities in West Virginia