Charleston WV vs St. Louis MO — 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 76.6% | 45.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,279 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $38,947 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 40.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $185,100 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 45.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 24.0 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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