Living in Charleston, Mississippi
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charleston · Census data 2020–2024
Charleston has 1,979 residents with a median age of 38.3. The median household income is $36,892 (35% lower than the Mississippi median), the median home value is $88,800, the median rent is $683/month.
Charleston at a glance
- Population
- 1,979
- Median age
- 38.3State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $36,892State: $56,447
- Median home value
- $88,800State: $169,800
- Median rent
- $683/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 59.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.3%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Charleston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 48% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 12.7%; a poverty rate of 27.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Charleston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charleston the median home value is $88,800, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $683 per month, which is 23.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $907 a month in housing costs.
Charleston median household income
The median household income in Charleston is $36,892 and the income per person is $20,856. 27.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Mississippi: 18.9%).
Housing in Charleston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 907
- Owner-occupied
- 59.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.2%
- Vacant
- 16.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.46
Charleston demographics
- Population
- 1,979
- Median age
- 38.3
- Under 18
- 25.1%
- 65 and older
- 19.8%
- Households
- 761
- Foreign-born
- 0.3%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charleston ›
Education in Charleston
22.3% of adults 25 and older in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Mississippi: 25.1%), and 14.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charleston
- Unemployment rate
- 12.7%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 17.6%
- Drive alone
- 75.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 65.3%
Charleston vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Charleston
Charleston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charleston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charleston, MS?
The median household income in Charleston is $36,892, 35% lower than the Mississippi median of $56,447 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Charleston?
The median home value in Charleston is $88,800, compared with $169,800 in Mississippi.
How much is rent in Charleston?
The median gross rent in Charleston is $683 per month, about 23.2% of household income.
Is Charleston, MS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 48% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 12.7%; a poverty rate of 27.1%.
What is the median age in Charleston?
The median age in Charleston is 38.3 years (Mississippi: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Charleston?
The average commute to work in Charleston is 21 minutes; 17.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston?
The unemployment rate in Charleston is 12.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charleston?
22.3% of adults in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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