Charleston WV vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Gresham
67.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 112,818 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.2 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 76.6% | 67.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,390 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 23.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Gresham
56.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $472,119 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 56.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 28.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham 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