Charleston WV vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 76.6% | 26.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.3% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $45,300 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $27,319 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 25.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $199,359 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 25.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 20.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.4 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, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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