Charleston WV vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Vallejo
68,141
Vallejo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Vallejo
42.1
Vallejo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 68,141 | Vallejo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 42.1 | Vallejo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 76.6% | 17.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $523,551 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 36.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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