Charleston WV vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Charleston
76.6%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 76.6% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 11.8% | 0.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $36,254 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 34.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $456,900 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 63.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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