Charleston WV vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Flint
2.9%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Flint
4.5%
Flint +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 80,835 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 2.9% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 34.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.5% | Flint + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $36,194 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $20,799 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 34.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 13.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 54.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 50.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.3% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 23.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 25.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 25.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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