Charleston WV vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Charleston +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 48.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 76.6% | 74.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 8.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $60,465 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,322 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 26.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $312,001 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 61.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 72.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 54.8 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 25.6 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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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