Living in Charleston, WV
Charleston is home to about 46,000 people in 2025 and the capital of West Virginia. It has lost 5.5% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (88.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 46,117-5.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $203,3003.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $908/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $65,812median, per year
- Price level
- 88.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 44° / 86°lows 26° / 66°
- Average commute
- 17 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.82%top rate, graduated
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County: Kanawha County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 597 ft
Metro area: Charleston, WV
Cost of living in Charleston
The median home in Charleston is worth $203,300 and the median household earns $65,812 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $908 a month, about 17% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Charleston, WV metro area at 88.7, with housing at 51.4 and goods at 96.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $66,500 here. West Virginia taxes wages at a top rate of 4.82%. The average combined state and local sales tax in West Virginia is 6.6%.
What would my salary be worth in Charleston?
Charleston weather
Average highs run from 44°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 26°F. It gets 46 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 32 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 94 times a year. The most comfortable months are April and August to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Charleston
People and work
The median resident is 43.0 years old, and 45% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 63% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 17 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 43.0520th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 45%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 63%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,46931.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%5% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1957median year
Who moves to Charleston, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Monongalia County, WV, Columbus (Franklin County) and Horry County, SC. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Monongalia County, WV, Columbus (Franklin County) and Horry County, SC. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Kanawha County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, winter weather, strong wind, lightning.
Home prices
+10.5% in a year
Up 40% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Charleston, WV area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
77% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Charleston, WV area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Charleston
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Charleston in Charleston
- West Virginia State University 7 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Charleston
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia International Yeager Airport CRW | 3 mi | 202,303 |
| Tri-State Airport HTS | 50 mi | 93,330 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Charleston
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Charleston | in town | 2,259 | $23,793 | 47% |
| West Virginia State University | 7 mi | 1,321 | $13,624 | 36% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Charleston
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 16, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 17 and the first frost comes around October 26.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Charleston Yeager Airport, WV, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Charleston.
Wildfire smoke in Charleston
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Charleston on about 122 days a year, including about 22 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Charleston
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 21,116 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Charleston
Downtown Charleston is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 23,085 | 63 | 13.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Putnam County School District (8,518 students), Boone County School District (3,048 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Charleston's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Charleston's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Springfield, MO83% matchCompare
- Wichita, KS74% matchCompare
- Evansville, IN73% matchCompare
- Bowling Green, KY73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Charleston
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Charleston
- Winterplace Ski Resort 60 miles
- Snowshoe Mountain 89 miles
- White Grass Ski Touring Center 128 miles
- Wisp Ski Resort 148 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Charleston
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.1 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 11% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 17 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data The population has shrunk 5.5% since 2020.
Charleston report card from locals
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Cities near Charleston
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 118 mi | 99,111 | $190,500 | 93.6 | Compare |
| Columbus, OH | 134 mi | 938,396 | $252,900 | 95.5 | Compare |
| Lynchburg, VA | 150 mi | 81,347 | $229,800 | 89.4 | Compare |
| Lexington, KY | 156 mi | 329,751 | $293,500 | 92.9 | Compare |
| Cincinnati, OH | 166 mi | 314,367 | $230,900 | 95.4 | Compare |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 168 mi | 307,632 | $205,800 | 94.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Charleston with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Charleston a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare Charleston side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Charleston?
The Census Bureau estimates Charleston had 46,117 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 48,810 in April 2020 (-5.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Charleston?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $66,500 in the Charleston area. The median household here earns $65,812.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April and August to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 44°F for daytime highs.
What county is Charleston in?
Charleston is in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Charleston in?
Charleston is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Charleston?
About 597 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does West Virginia have a state income tax?
Yes. West Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 4.82% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Charleston. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Charleston, WV metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Charleston Yeager Airport, WV station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.