Charleston WV vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 71,455 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 76.6% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 11.8% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Johnson City
41.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,429 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,451 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 21.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 41.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $294,254 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 49.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 21.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Johnson City
20.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.3 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA