Charleston WV vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 76.6% | 50.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,931 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,704 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 23.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $293,664 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 39.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 67.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 58.1 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 20.3 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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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