Charleston WV vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Jackson
2.2%
Jackson +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 1.5% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 14.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.3% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 2.2% | Jackson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Charleston +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $43,238 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $26,868 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $46,995 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 26.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 28.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 48.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 46.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 64.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 54.1 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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