Moving to Huntington in 2026: Cost of Living, Housing, and What to Know
Huntington, West Virginia is the state’s second-largest city with a population of about 45,000 and a metro area of 350,000 (which includes Ashland, Kentucky and Ironton, Ohio across the state borders). It sits along the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of the state, 50 miles west of Charleston on I-64. The median home price is $95,000 — you read that correctly. For less than the cost of a new truck, you can own a three-bedroom house. Marshall University gives the city a college-town energy, and the hospital system provides the area’s largest employment base. If you’re looking for rock-bottom housing costs in the eastern United States, Huntington is as cheap as it gets. Run the numbers through our mortgage calculator.
Huntington faces real challenges. The city’s population has dropped 30% since 1980. The opioid crisis hit Cabell County harder than almost any county in America. Poverty rates are high. But the city also has a revitalized downtown, a passionate college community, and a cost of living so low that a $40,000 salary buys a comfortable middle-class life. If you can earn remotely or find work in healthcare or education, buying a home here offers extraordinary value.
Huntington at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| City Population (2025 est.) | 45,000 |
| Tri-State Metro Population | 350,000 |
| Median Household Income | $34,500 |
| Median Home Price | $95,000 |
| Median Rent (2BR) | $680/mo |
| Property Tax Rate (effective) | 0.55% |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% |
| Average Commute | 20 minutes |
| Distance to Charleston | 50 miles (1 hr) |
| Distance to Lexington, KY | 130 miles (2 hr) |
Cost of Living in Huntington
Huntington’s cost of living sits 24% below the national average — one of the lowest in the eastern United States. Housing drives the savings to an extreme degree. A solid three-bedroom house in a good Huntington neighborhood costs $80,000–$140,000. In many cases, your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) will be under $700.
West Virginia’s property tax rate of 0. Use our property tax calculator for detailed numbers.55% in Cabell County means property taxes on a $95,000 home are just $523/year — about $44/month. Compare that to $1,644/year on the same value in Ohio (across the river) or $4,000+ in many northeastern states.
| Expense | Huntington | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $95,000 | $412,000 |
| Median Rent (2BR) | $680 | $1,540 |
| Groceries (monthly, family of 4) | $730 | $870 |
| Utilities (monthly) | $165 | $210 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.15 | $3.30 |
| Property Tax (on median home) | $523/yr | $4,400/yr |
Use the affordability calculator to see exactly how far your income goes in Huntington. A household earning $50,000 can comfortably own a home here — something that’s nearly impossible in most mid-sized eastern cities.
Neighborhoods and Where to Buy
Ritter Park/South Side: Huntington’s most prestigious neighborhood, centered around the beautiful Ritter Park with its rose garden and walking paths. Homes are 1920s–1950s Tudors, Colonials, and Craftsmans priced at $120,000–$250,000. This is where Marshall professors, doctors, and attorneys live. Tree-lined streets and walkability to local shops make it the top pick.
Highlawn: East of downtown, this established neighborhood has well-maintained homes from $80,000–$150,000. Close to Cabell Huntington Hospital and I-64 access. Highlawn Elementary is one of the stronger schools in the district. Solid middle-class neighborhood with pride of ownership.
Westmoreland: An affordable, diverse neighborhood south of the Marshall campus. Homes run $60,000–$110,000. The area has some student rentals mixed with owner-occupied homes. Proximity to campus is convenient for Marshall employees and students.
Pea Ridge/Spring Valley: Southern suburbs along Route 60 with newer construction from the 1980s–2000s. Homes range $130,000–$220,000. This area feels more suburban with larger lots and newer schools. Spring Valley High School is among the better-rated in the county.
Barboursville (suburb): Ten minutes east of Huntington, this Cabell County town of 4,200 has the area’s best shopping (Huntington Mall) and newer housing from $120,000–$200,000. Barboursville schools are rated above the Huntington city schools. A popular choice for families who want newer homes and better schools while staying close to Huntington’s employers.
Job Market and Economy
Huntington’s economy centers on healthcare, education, and retail. The job market is thin compared to larger cities, and wages are among the lowest in the eastern U.S. The median household income of $34,500 reflects a combination of low wages and high rates of disability and retirement income.
Cabell Huntington Hospital/Mountain Health Network is the metro’s largest employer with about 4,500 employees. The hospital is a regional referral center and Level II trauma center. Nursing positions start at $52,000–$60,000; experienced RNs earn $65,000–$78,000.
Marshall University employs approximately 2,500 people (including the medical school and research operations). Marshall’s School of Medicine has strengthened the city’s healthcare employment pipeline. Faculty positions range from $55,000–$120,000 depending on department.
Amazon opened a fulfillment center in nearby Ceredo in 2021, adding about 1,000 jobs at $15–$18/hour. Other manufacturing and logistics employers include Steel of West Virginia and Special Metals (a Precision Castparts Company).
The tri-state nature of the metro (WV, KY, OH) means job opportunities across state lines. Ashland, Kentucky (20 minutes west) has King’s Daughters Medical Center and oil refinery jobs. Ironton, Ohio (across the river) adds additional retail and service employment.
Schools and Education
Cabell County Schools serves about 12,000 students. The district’s performance is below the state average, with a graduation rate of about 83%. Huntington High School has been improving, with expanded career and technical education programs. The district’s highlights include the Huntington High STEM academy and partnerships with Marshall University.
Families seeking better school options often look at Barboursville (Cabell County but separate attendance zones) or Putnam County to the east. Spring Valley High School and Barboursville Middle School have stronger ratings than most Huntington city schools.
Marshall University (12,500 students) is an NCAA Division I school and the cultural center of Huntington. The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine graduates about 80 physicians per year. Marshall’s business school has AACSB accreditation. In-state tuition is approximately $8,900/year.
Transportation
Huntington is served by I-64 (connecting to Charleston east and Lexington, KY west). The average commute is 20 minutes. Traffic is nonexistent by any national standard. Parking is free throughout most of the city.
Tri-State Airport (HTS) in nearby Ceredo offers limited commercial service — direct flights to Charlotte (American) and a few seasonal routes. Most residents who fly regularly drive to Charleston’s Yeager Airport (1 hour) or Columbus, Ohio (3 hours) for more options.
The city has no meaningful public transit. Tri-State Transit Authority operates a few bus routes, but service is infrequent and limited in scope. A car is essential.
Pros and Cons of Living in Huntington
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Median home price $95,000 (77% below national) | Low median income ($34,500) |
| Property tax $523/year on median home | Limited job market and career growth |
| Marshall University campus culture | Opioid crisis impact on community |
| Ritter Park and Ohio River access | Population declining since 1980 |
| Regional healthcare hub | Below-average school district |
| Tri-state metro of 350,000 | Very limited air travel |
| Low crime in South Side/Ritter Park | Higher poverty rate than national average |
Healthcare and Medical Services
Huntington’s healthcare infrastructure is strong for a city of its size. Cabell Huntington Hospital is a 303-bed facility with a Level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer center, and neonatal intensive care unit. St. Mary’s Medical Center adds another 393 beds and operates as a regional referral center. Marshall Health (affiliated with Marshall University) provides specialty clinics across the city.
Combined, the healthcare systems employ roughly 8,000 people — making healthcare the city’s largest employment sector by a significant margin. For healthcare workers, Huntington offers strong career opportunities with housing costs that are 60–70% below the national average. An RN earning $55,000–$65,000 can comfortably afford a home in the $100,000–$160,000 range, which buys a solid three-bedroom house in Ritter Park or Pea Ridge. Factor your healthcare costs into your overall housing budget with the affordability calculator.
Climate and Weather
Huntington has a four-season climate moderated by its low elevation in the Ohio River valley. Summers are warm and humid (highs of 85–90°F), winters are mild by West Virginia standards (January highs average 42°F, lows around 25°F). Annual snowfall averages 18 inches — less than half what mountain areas of WV receive. Spring flooding along the Ohio River is a periodic concern, though the city’s flood wall system provides protection for most neighborhoods. The growing season is 180+ days, one of the longest in the state.
Outdoor Recreation
Huntington’s location at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers provides outstanding water recreation. Beech Fork State Park, 12 miles south of the city, has a 720-acre lake for fishing, boating, and swimming, plus 25 miles of hiking trails. Ritter Park’s 70 acres include a rose garden (one of the only ARS-certified test gardens in the region), tennis courts, playgrounds, and a 1.5-mile walking trail. The Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH) connects several city parks with paved walking and biking paths.
Compare With Other States
Considering other markets? Here’s how other states compare:
- Moving to Springfield IL in 2026: Cost of Living, Housing, and What to Know
- Moving to Richmond VA in 2026: Cost of Living, Housing, and What to Know
- Moving to Charlotte in 2026: Cost of Living, Housing, and What to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntington WV worth moving to?
For remote workers, retirees, healthcare professionals, and people who prioritize affordability above all else, Huntington is an extraordinary value. A $95,000 median home price with $523/year in property taxes creates a cost structure that’s almost impossible to match in the eastern U.S. The tradeoffs are real — limited jobs, lower incomes, and community challenges. But for the right person, the math is compelling. Check the closing cost calculator to see total purchase costs.
What is there to do in Huntington?
Marshall University provides Division I athletics (football, basketball), concerts, and cultural events. Ritter Park is a gem with walking trails, a rose garden, and playgrounds. The Heritage Farm Museum and Village recreates Appalachian pioneer life. Pullman Square downtown has a movie theater, restaurants, and shops. The Ohio River provides boating and fishing. New River Gorge National Park is 1.5 hours southeast. Huntington hosts a thriving farmers market and growing restaurant scene on 4th Avenue.
How is the healthcare in Huntington?
Strong, ironically. Cabell Huntington Hospital is a regional referral center with a Level II trauma center, and Marshall’s medical school trains physicians in the community. Specialty care is available locally for most conditions. This is unusual for a city this size and is a direct result of the medical school’s presence. Healthcare is also the best career path in the metro. See our home services directory for related recommendations.
Is Huntington WV safe?
Crime rates vary sharply by neighborhood. The South Side, Ritter Park, Highlawn, and suburban areas are safe with crime rates at or below national averages. Downtown, the West End, and some near-campus areas have higher property crime and drug-related incidents. Huntington’s overall crime rate is above the national average, but selecting the right neighborhood mitigates most risk. Talk to local residents and drive neighborhoods at different times of day before buying.
Can I buy a house in Huntington for under $100,000?
Yes. About 55% of homes listed in Huntington are priced below $100,000. A $75,000–$95,000 budget gets a three-bedroom house in Highlawn, Westmoreland, or the south side. At $100,000–$140,000, you can buy in Ritter Park or Barboursville. A $50,000 home exists but will likely need $15,000–$30,000 in updates. At these price points, your monthly mortgage payment (with 10% down, including taxes and insurance) is $550–$750. Use the mortgage calculator for your exact payment.