Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Albany +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 47,918 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 3.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 26.6% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 1.9% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Charleston
44.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $50,163 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.2% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.6% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.2% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 17.7% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.9°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 46.2 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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