Charleston WV vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 76.6% | 37.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 0.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $63,264 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $24,584 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $221,806 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 42.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 35.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 74.2°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Laredo
22.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.7 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 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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