Charleston WV vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Charleston +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 44,998 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 57.8 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 76.6% | 69.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $503,393 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 63.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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