Living in Charleston, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charleston · Census data 2020–2024
Charleston has 47,421 residents with a median age of 43. The median household income is $65,812 (10% higher than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $203,300, the median rent is $908/month.
Charleston at a glance
- Population
- 47,421
- Median age
- 43State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $65,812State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $203,300State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $908/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 63.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45.2%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Charleston a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 10% higher than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 17 minutes; a poverty rate of 15.8%.
Cons: Home values 25% higher than the state median; unemployment of 6.5%.
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 $203,300, 39% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $908 per month, which is 28.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,363 a month in housing costs.
Charleston median household income
The median household income in Charleston is $65,812 and the income per person is $49,097. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Charleston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 25,544
- Owner-occupied
- 63.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.7%
- Vacant
- 17.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.15
Charleston demographics
- Population
- 47,421
- Median age
- 43
- Under 18
- 19.1%
- 65 and older
- 21.1%
- Households
- 21,116
- Foreign-born
- 4.5%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charleston ›
Education in Charleston
45.2% of adults 25 and older in Charleston have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 21.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charleston
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 13%
- Drive alone
- 72%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 5.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.7%
Charleston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | $203,300 | $908 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | $155,400 | $844 |
| Malden | 320 | $50,774 | $159,600 | — |
| Coal Fork | 1,423 | $70,212 | $101,000 | — |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | $119,600 | $935 |
| Rand | 1,064 | $61,047 | $89,900 | $953 |
| West Dunbar | 425 | $27,500 | $84,700 | $784 |
| Big Chimney | 610 | $43,403 | — | — |
| Institute | 521 | $42,315 | — | $1,000 |
More for people moving to Charleston
Charleston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charleston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charleston, WV?
The median household income in Charleston is $65,812, 10% higher than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (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 $203,300, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Charleston?
The median gross rent in Charleston is $908 per month, about 28.2% of household income.
Is Charleston, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 10% higher than the West Virginia median; an average commute of 17 minutes; a poverty rate of 15.8%. Minuses: home values 25% higher than the state median; unemployment of 6.5%.
What is the median age in Charleston?
The median age in Charleston is 43 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Charleston?
The average commute to work in Charleston is 17 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charleston?
The unemployment rate in Charleston is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charleston?
45.2% 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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