Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 47,918 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.6 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 3.9% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 60.0% | 11.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 1.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $50,163 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.2% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.2% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.7% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 46.2 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 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 433 in Baltimore. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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