Charleston WV vs Salt Lake City 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 76.6% | 70.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $580,126 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 46.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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