Charleston WV vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 76.6% | 59.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $45,611 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $30,282 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 28.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $299,633 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 38.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 21.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 68.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 47.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.1 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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA