Charleston WV vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 76.6% | 40.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $51,339 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $27,054 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 25.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $298,985 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 49.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 21.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.6 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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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