Charleston WV vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 76.6% | 53.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 7.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $40,309 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $411,323 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 72.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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