Charleston WV vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Evansville
38.1
Evansville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Evansville
3.9%
Evansville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Evansville
4.0%
Evansville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 116,441 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.1 | Evansville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 3.9% | Evansville + |
| White | 76.6% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 11.8% | 13.5% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.1% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.0% | Evansville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Evansville
$52,251
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Evansville
$31,236
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Evansville
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $52,251 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $31,236 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 22.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Evansville
$200,657
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
53.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $200,657 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 53.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Evansville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Evansville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.0% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.8% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.7% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Evansville
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Evansville
46.8 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 60.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 46.8 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Evansville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Evansville
20.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.2 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, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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