Charleston WV vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 76.6% | 36.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $42,300 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 36.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $480,548 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 51.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Sacramento
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 61.0°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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