Charleston WV vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 76.6% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $48,416 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $25,509 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $482,675 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 24.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Newark
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 23.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 54.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 46.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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