Charleston WV vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Plymouth
79,526
Plymouth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Plymouth
40.7
Plymouth +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Plymouth
74.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Plymouth
4.7%
Plymouth +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 79,526 | Plymouth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 40.7 | Plymouth + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 76.6% | 74.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.7% | Plymouth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $514,358 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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