Charleston WV vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Dearborn
3.0%
Dearborn +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 107,846 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 76.6% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 3.0% | Dearborn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $29,900 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,052 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 34.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $248,262 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Dearborn
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, 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 471 in Dearborn. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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