Charleston WV vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 76.6% | 53.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,189 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 38.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $248,749 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 44.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 23.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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