Charleston WV vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 76.6% | 49.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $708,498 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 47.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 53.2 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 30.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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