Charleston WV vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Charleston +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Clearwater
70.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 117,075 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 46.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 76.6% | 70.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 10.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $64,440 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $42,934 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Clearwater
59.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $341,503 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 59.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 73.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 54.7 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 25.3 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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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