Charleston WV vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 76.6% | 36.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $53,771 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $34,482 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 25.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 37.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $330,564 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 28.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 47.1 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 23.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA