Charleston WV vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Westland
84,155
Westland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 84,155 | Westland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 76.6% | 63.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $62,216 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $33,816 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 21.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $215,089 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 61.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | 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
Charleston +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.0 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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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