Charleston WV vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 76.6% | 59.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $44,756 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $496,966 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 56.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 31.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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