Charleston WV vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 76.6% | 74.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $528,447 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 28.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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