Charleston WV vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Peoria
42.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 42.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 76.6% | 72.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $45,831 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 35.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $488,428 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 31.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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