Charleston WV vs Greensboro NC — 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 76.6% | 40.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 10.4% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Greensboro
39.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $58,884 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,858 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 39.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $265,214 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 50.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Greensboro
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Greensboro
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.1% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 59.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 23.4 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, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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