Charleston WV vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 76.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $534,732 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 23.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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