Charleston WV vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 76.6% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $33,579 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 25.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $509,396 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 60.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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