Charleston WV vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Spokane Valley +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| White | 76.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,235 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 24.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $414,734 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA