Charleston

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Charleston, WV

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The best of Appalachia at your fingertips in West Virginia’s capital city

Education Nature Scenic Mountains Outdoors

As the state capital and the largest city in West Virginia, Charleston is a hub for business, culture, and tourism. The distinct four-season climate and lush surroundings stimulate the senses throughout the year. Thousands of acres of pristine natural beauty fill the mountains and valleys around the city, making it a perfect place to rent an apartment for folks who want easy access to the great outdoors while still enjoying the benefits of the city.

Education is strong in Charleston, with many top-ranked public schools and several collegiate branches in the area (including the University of Charleston and campuses for WVU, West Virginia State, and Marshall). West Virginia’s unique Appalachian culture is on display, with several attractions and events throughout the year celebrating the history and traditions of the region. The local arts scene also incorporates many events focused on classical music, dance, jazz, and wine.

Explore the City

Charleston homes include styles like Queen Anne, Greek Revival, Tudor Revival and bungalows.

Downtown Charleston is home to the Charleston Dirty Birds, who play at the GoMart Ballpark.

The West Virginia State Capitol encompasses a large part of the East End neighborhood.

Rent Trends

As of June 2025, the average apartment rent in Charleston, WV is $697 for a studio, $983 for one bedroom, $1,041 for two bedrooms, and $1,734 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Charleston has increased by 6.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$983/month
706 Sq Ft
House
$1,168/month
1,202 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Charleston, WV

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Charleston, WV is 15.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Charleston is 40.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $697 - $1,738. You can expect to pay 1.0% less for groceries, 3.6% less for utilities, and 6.7% less for transportation.

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Transportation

53

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

38

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Holz Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

278 Students

8
out of 10

Cross Lanes Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

309 Students

7
out of 10

Weberwood Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

261 Students

7
out of 10

Shoals Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

210 Students

7
out of 10

Kenna Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

166 Students

7
out of 10

John Adams Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

8
out of 10

Andrew Jackson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

512 Students

7
out of 10

Sissonville Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

541 Students

6
out of 10

Horace Mann Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

399 Students

5
out of 10

Stonewall Jackson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

377 Students

2
out of 10

George Washington High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,195 Students

9
out of 10

Sissonville High School

Public

Grades 9-12

563 Students

5
out of 10

Capital High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,086 Students

3
out of 10

Mt Olive

Public

Grades 6-12

Rating Unavailable

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
  • Kanawha State Forest

Airports

  • West Virginia International Yeager

Top Apartments in Charleston

Houses for Rent in Charleston

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2025.