Charleston WV vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 76.6% | 53.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $507,575 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 56.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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