Living in Charleston, Missouri
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charleston · Census data 2020–2024
Charleston has 4,482 residents with a median age of 41.8. The median household income is $33,952 (52% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $123,700, the median rent is $774/month.
Charleston at a glance
- Population
- 4,482
- Median age
- 41.8State: 39
- Median household income
- $33,952State: $70,702
- Median home value
- $123,700State: $230,300
- Median rent
- $774/moState: $1,033
- Homeowners
- 50%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9.9%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Charleston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 46% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 52% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 5%; a poverty rate of 25.8%.
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 $123,700, 63% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $774 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,118 a month in housing costs.
Charleston median household income
The median household income in Charleston is $33,952 and the income per person is $17,300. 25.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).
Housing in Charleston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,571
- Owner-occupied
- 50%
- Renter-occupied
- 50%
- Vacant
- 16.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.42
Charleston demographics
- Population
- 4,482
- Median age
- 41.8
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 14.6%
- Households
- 1,313
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 4.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charleston ›
Education in Charleston
9.9% of adults 25 and older in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 2.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charleston
- Unemployment rate
- 5%State: 4%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 2.7%
- Drive alone
- 79.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.4%
Charleston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 4,482 | $33,952 | $123,700 | $774 |
| Diehlstadt | 113 | $46,250 | $73,800 | — |
| Bertrand | 732 | $54,688 | $86,300 | $650 |
| Wyatt | 243 | $24,773 | $47,100 | $598 |
| East Prairie | 2,902 | $34,637 | $68,400 | $750 |
| Cairo | 1,682 | $41,912 | $32,000 | $515 |
| Miner | 950 | $52,000 | $131,600 | $713 |
| Sikeston | 16,320 | $58,915 | $168,800 | $891 |
| Wickliffe | 797 | $34,509 | $68,400 | — |
More for people moving to Charleston
Charleston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charleston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charleston, MO?
The median household income in Charleston is $33,952, 52% lower than the Missouri median of $70,702 (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 $123,700, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.
How much is rent in Charleston?
The median gross rent in Charleston is $774 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Charleston, MO a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 46% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 52% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 5%; a poverty rate of 25.8%.
What is the median age in Charleston?
The median age in Charleston is 41.8 years (Missouri: 39).
How long is the commute in Charleston?
The average commute to work in Charleston is 18 minutes; 2.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston?
The unemployment rate in Charleston is 5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charleston?
9.9% 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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