Charleston WV vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 43.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 76.6% | 60.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,352 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 26.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $327,700 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 32.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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