Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 47,918 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 3.9% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 7.4% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 1.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Charleston
$45,967
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
44.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,512 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $45,967 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $50,163 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 44.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Charleston
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 40.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.2% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 53.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 46.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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