Charleston WV vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 76.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $38,200 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $400,636 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 58.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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