Charleston WV vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 76.6% | 68.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $42,515 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $297,017 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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