Living in Charlestown, Rhode Island
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charlestown · Census data 2020–2024
Charlestown has 8,051 residents with a median age of 53.3. The median household income is $109,404 (25% higher than the Rhode Island median), the median home value is $525,500, the median rent is $1,374/month.
Charlestown at a glance
- Population
- 8,051
- Median age
- 53.3State: 40.6
- Median household income
- $109,404State: $87,796
- Median home value
- $525,500State: $404,200
- Median rent
- $1,374/moState: $1,342
- Homeowners
- 92%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40.4%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Charlestown a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 25% higher than the Rhode Island median; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 4.2%.
Cons: Home values 30% higher than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Charlestown
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charlestown the median home value is $525,500, 58% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,374 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,089 a month in housing costs.
Charlestown median household income
The median household income in Charlestown is $109,404 and the income per person is $66,075. 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Rhode Island: 11.2%).
Housing in Charlestown: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,458
- Owner-occupied
- 92%
- Renter-occupied
- 8%
- Vacant
- 36%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.28
36% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Charlestown has many vacation and second homes.
Charlestown demographics
- Population
- 8,051
- Median age
- 53.3
- Under 18
- 13%
- 65 and older
- 27.1%
- Households
- 3,493
- Foreign-born
- 3.1%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charlestown ›
Education in Charlestown
40.4% of adults 25 and older in Charlestown have a bachelor's degree or higher (Rhode Island: 37.7%), and 17.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charlestown
- Unemployment rate
- 4.1%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 18.9%
- Drive alone
- 75.1%
- Public transit
- 2.1%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.1%
Charlestown vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlestown | 8,051 | $109,404 | $525,500 | $1,374 |
| Quonochontaug | 610 | $86,071 | $1,043,900 | — |
| Bradford | 1,511 | $120,250 | $418,100 | — |
| Weekapaug | 541 | $137,917 | $1,252,700 | — |
| Carolina | 1,048 | $140,196 | $396,400 | — |
| Ashaway | 1,722 | $103,707 | $343,600 | $1,604 |
| Westerly | 23,333 | $98,875 | $466,600 | $1,257 |
| South Kingstown | 32,073 | $108,960 | $560,200 | $1,368 |
| Misquamicut | 348 | $109,643 | $815,900 | — |
More for people moving to Charlestown
Charlestown ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charlestown: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charlestown, RI?
The median household income in Charlestown is $109,404, 25% higher than the Rhode Island median of $87,796 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Charlestown?
The median home value in Charlestown is $525,500, compared with $404,200 in Rhode Island.
How much is rent in Charlestown?
The median gross rent in Charlestown is $1,374 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Charlestown, RI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 25% higher than the Rhode Island median; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 4.2%. Minuses: home values 30% higher than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes.
What is the median age in Charlestown?
The median age in Charlestown is 53.3 years (Rhode Island: 40.6).
How long is the commute in Charlestown?
The average commute to work in Charlestown is 28 minutes; 18.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charlestown?
The unemployment rate in Charlestown is 4.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charlestown?
40.4% of adults in Charlestown 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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