Charleston WV vs Corpus Christi TX — 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%
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 317,383 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.3 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 8.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 76.6% | 54.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 61.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $66,325 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $33,579 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 24.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
57.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $226,494 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
2339
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Corpus Christi +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 24.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 72.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 32.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, 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 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corpus Christi has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corpus Christi scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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