Charleston WV vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Livonia
94,058
Livonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Charleston +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 94,058 | Livonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 45.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 76.6% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Livonia
$58,052
Livonia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Livonia
40.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,052 | Livonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $314,705 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Charleston +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 25.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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