Charleston WV vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 76.6% | 74.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $64,488 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,359 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $323,876 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 49.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 56.0°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 46.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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