Charleston WV vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.5 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 76.6% | 49.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $38,421 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 27.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $426,069 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 55.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 17.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 67.4°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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