Charleston WV vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 76.6% | 48.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 7.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $62,917 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $32,983 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $251,035 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 24.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 68.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 26.5 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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