Charleston WV vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 76.6% | 56.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $43,819 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 36.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $422,528 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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