Charleston WV vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 58.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $47,532 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $27,407 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 21.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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