Charleston WV vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 76.6% | 69.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $39,586 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 31.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $435,670 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 71.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 26.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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