Charleston WV vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
North Las Vegas
39.0
North Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 39.0 | North Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 76.6% | 43.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $58,874 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,069 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 23.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $407,146 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 41.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
North Las Vegas
16.1%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | North Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 68.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.6 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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