Median rent is 4% lower in Huntington ($863/mo vs $898/mo). Buying is cheaper in Huntington, where the median home runs $118,800 versus $187,300. Households earn more in Charleston ($64,512 vs $43,146 a year).
City A
Charleston, WV
City B
Huntington, WV
How much would you need to earn in Huntington, WV to maintain your standard of living from Charleston, WV?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Charleston
West Virginia
Huntington
West Virginia
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $898/mo in Charleston and $863/mo in Huntington. Home buyers face a steeper market in Charleston: the median home is $187,300 versus $118,800 in Huntington — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% versus 5.12% in West Virginia, so Huntington is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in West Virginia and 6.00% in West Virginia; Huntington has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Charleston
Income tax: 5.12%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Huntington
Income tax: 5.12%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Charleston if you prioritize higher median household income ($64,512/yr).
Is Charleston cheaper than Huntington?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Charleston vs Huntington?
Median rent is $898/mo in Charleston, WV and $863/mo in Huntington, WV. Huntington, WV has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Charleston or Huntington?
Median household income is $64,512 in Charleston, WV and $43,146 in Huntington, WV. Charleston, WV has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Charleston or Huntington?
West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% and West Virginia's is 5.12%. Huntington, WV has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Huntington to match my Charleston income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology