Charleston WV vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 76.6% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Eugene
$41,035
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $63,836 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $41,035 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 18.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $478,489 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 47.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Eugene
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.9% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Eugene
19.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 19.9 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, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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