Charleston WV vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 76.6% | 54.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,176 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $30,804 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $53,141 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 22.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 37.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $290,963 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 17.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 58.8°F | Charleston + |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.5 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 834 in Las Cruces. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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