Charleston WV vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Charleston
76.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 76.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $527,542 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 28.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA