Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 47,918 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 42.6 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 3.9% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 2.5% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 2.7% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 1.9% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $64,512 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $50,163 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.3% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.5% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 40.2% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.2% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.7% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 46.2 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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