Charleston WV vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 76.6% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $59,183 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $28,059 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 20.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Kansas City
$202,558
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $202,558 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 60.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 41.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 23.7 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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