Charleston WV vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 76.6% | 72.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 10.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $59,480 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $31,683 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 20.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $210,384 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 61.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 54.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 25.5 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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