Charleston WV vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Cheyenne
58,754
Cheyenne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 58,754 | Cheyenne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 2.1% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 11.8% | 0.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 8.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $41,460 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 30.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $388,590 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA