Charleston WV vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 76.6% | 72.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $44,893 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 41.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
61.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $451,202 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 61.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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