Charleston WV vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 76.6% | 35.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $62,894 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $41,142 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 36.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $265,062 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 42.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 24.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 48.7 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 29.6 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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