Charleston WV vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 76.6% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $64,017 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,433 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $310,519 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 45.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 60.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 50.8 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.4 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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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