Charleston WV vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 76.6% | 36.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $26,955 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 11.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $397,983 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 58.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 63.3°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 41.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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