Charleston WV vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 76.6% | 40.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $1,369,171 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 38.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 55.3°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 33.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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