Charleston WV vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 76.6% | 51.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $45,845 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $27,570 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 29.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 30.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $215,134 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 41.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 41.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 19.3 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 434 in Syracuse. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA