Charleston WV vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Portland
3.1%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 76.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $561,069 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 46.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 47.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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