Charleston WV vs Chattanooga TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 76.6% | 58.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.4% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 9.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $61,028 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $40,040 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 35.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $322,291 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 53.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 36.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.2% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 60.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 52.5 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Chattanooga
20.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.3 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 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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