Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 47,918 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 42.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 3.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 22.4% | 11.8% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 1.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $64,512 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $50,163 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.3% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.2% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.6% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.2% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.7% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 46.2 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Charleston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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