Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
3.9%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
76.6%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 47,918 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 76.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
$45,967
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
44.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,512 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $45,967 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $50,163 | Ann Arbor + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
62.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 62.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 40.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 15.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 7.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 17.7% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 53.9°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Charleston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Charleston
19.2 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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