Charleston WV vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 76.6% | 73.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 7.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $429,253 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 46.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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