Charleston WV vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 76.6% | 24.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $63,874 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $28,490 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 14.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $531,592 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 25.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 28.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 29.3 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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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