Charleston WV vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Fargo
3.7%
Fargo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 76.6% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 11.8% | 8.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 3.7% | Fargo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $42,212 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 43.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $318,584 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2037 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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