Charleston, West Virginia
Among the top 24% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 44% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 3% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 12% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 76% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 17% of US places
- top 9% for commute time
- bottom 2% for property crime
Charleston is a mid-size city in West Virginia with about 48,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and F for weather. Standout strengths include commute time, walkability, and sales tax. It rates lower on violent crime and property crime.
Official websitecharlestonwv.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
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68%38%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.6 in3.2 in
muggy 85%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$59k44th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$47kbetter than 45% of US places
Home Value$173k54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$870better than 55% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 53% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.75%better than 68% of US places
Income Tax7.50%better than 21% of US places
State 6.50% + Local 1.00%
Sales Tax6.57%better than 73% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.86%better than 30% of US places
Unemployment5.8%better than 33% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)35°F59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)76°F48th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation46.2 in64th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall31.5 inbetter than 31% of US places
Sunny Days203 daysbetter than 23% of US places
Summer Humidity66°Fbetter than 35% of US places
Comfortable Days77 daysbetter than 37% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk69.5better than 44% of US places
Air Quality46 AQIbetter than 54% of US places
School Quality60.4better than 54% of US places
Violent Crime2754/100kbetter than 3% of US places
Property Crime4405/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Community
Population48,41597th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age42.255th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3771st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9748th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1540th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)77.1%38th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)12.8%86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)1.6%37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.5%83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.9%77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time18 minbetter than 91% of US places
Walkability8.7/20better than 80% of US places
Airport Distance132 mibetter than 23% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.2%better than 50% of US places
Amenities Nearby33.87better than 31% of US places
Park & Nature AccessLimitedbetter than 14% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Charleston an affordable place to live?
- Charleston is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $47k, better than 45% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Charleston?
- The median home value in Charleston is $173k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Charleston?
- Median household income in Charleston is $59k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Charleston?
- Median gross rent in Charleston is $870 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Charleston safe?
- Charleston is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2754/100k (better than 3%). Property crime is 4405/100k.
- What is the weather like in Charleston?
- Charleston averages 76°F in July and 35°F in January, with 46.2 in of annual precipitation and about 203 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Charleston?
- Public-school quality in Charleston is about average, scoring better than 54% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Charleston?
- The average one-way commute in Charleston is 18 min.
Places near Charleston
Compare Charleston
Explore West Virginia
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)