Charleston WV vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 97,227 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 76.6% | 75.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $59,074 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,885 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $53,714 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 21.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $380,101 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 41.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 58.2°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Fayetteville
19.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fayetteville, AR | 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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