Charleston WV vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 76.6% | 51.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,269 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 31.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $286,396 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 70.2°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 50.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 26.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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