Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 47,918 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 3.9% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 46.9% | 11.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.7% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 1.9% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Charleston
$45,967
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Charleston
44.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $64,512 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $45,967 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $50,163 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 44.1% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 40.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 46.2 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Charleston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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