Charleston WV vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Nashville
N/A
White
Charleston
76.6%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 76.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $436,355 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 47.9 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Nashville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Nashville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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