Albany GA vs Charleston WV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Albany +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
White
Albany
18.9%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Albany +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 47,918 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| White | 18.9% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 76.3% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 1.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $50,163 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Charleston
$164,532
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $164,532 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Charleston
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 40.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 46.2 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Charleston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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