Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Charleston
76.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 47,918 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.6 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 3.9% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 76.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.7% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 1.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Charleston
$45,967
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Charleston
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Charleston
44.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $64,512 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $45,967 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $50,163 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 44.1% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Charleston
62.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 62.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Charleston
7.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Charleston
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 46.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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