Charleston WV vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 76.6% | 58.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $35,825 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 34.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $435,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 42.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 48.1 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 27.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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