Charleston WV vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Davenport
101,083
Davenport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Davenport
37.8
Davenport +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Davenport
4.6%
Davenport +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Davenport
75.9%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 101,083 | Davenport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.8 | Davenport + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 4.6% | Davenport + |
| White | 76.6% | 75.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Davenport
$64,497
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Davenport
$36,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $64,497 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 30.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Davenport
$191,117
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $191,117 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Davenport
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 42.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 21.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Davenport
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Davenport
20.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.4 min | Charleston + |
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, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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