Charleston WV vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 76.6% | 37.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 8.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 37.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $956,465 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 36.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 62.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 33.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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