Charleston WV vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 76.6% | 58.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Huntsville
$44,733
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Huntsville
$51,690
Huntsville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $44,733 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $51,690 | Huntsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Huntsville
58.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $288,707 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 58.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 62.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 54.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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