Charleston WV vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 76.6% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $62,800 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $26,755 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 22.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $486,127 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 39.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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