Charleston WV vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 76.6% | 36.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.3% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $39,187 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $27,078 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 30.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 21.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 41.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 42.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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