Charleston WV vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 76.6% | 39.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 43.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $324,183 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 45.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 36.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PACharleston, WV vs San Antonio, TX