Charleston WV vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Montgomery
4.8%
Montgomery +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 76.6% | 27.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.8% | Montgomery + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Montgomery
$51,690
Montgomery +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,687 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $32,068 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $51,690 | Montgomery + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 20.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 54.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 46.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 64.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 52.8 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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