Charleston

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Charleston, WV

Area Guide

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

Education Nature Scenic Mountains Outdoors

Living in Charleston, West Virginia, combines city living with natural beauty along the Kanawha River. The state capital offers housing options throughout its distinctive neighborhoods, including the East End, South Hills, and Kanawha City. The rental market shows one-bedroom apartments averaging $941, while two-bedroom units average $1,043. The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences anchors the cultural scene with its performance halls, museums, and planetarium. Residents enjoy outdoor recreation at Kanawha State Forest's 9,300 acres, while the Capitol Market, set in a restored train station, offers local produce and specialty foods year-round.

Charleston's evolution from its industrial past has created a modern cityscape of government offices, healthcare facilities, and institutions like the University of Charleston. The downtown area features diverse architecture, from Victorian mansions to Art Deco buildings, particularly throughout the East End district. South Hills offers elevated views of the city, while Kanawha City sits near major medical centers. The West Side continues to develop its arts community. Each June, FestivALL celebrates local culture with performances and art installations throughout downtown. As West Virginia's capital city, Charleston combines accessibility with affordability while maintaining its role as the state's governmental center.

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 December 2025, the average apartment rent in Charleston, WV is $701 for a studio, $1,001 for one bedroom, $1,139 for two bedrooms, and $1,720 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Charleston has increased by 6.0% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,001/month
706 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Charleston, WV

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Charleston, WV is 15.8% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Charleston is 38.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $701 - $1,720. You can expect to pay 2.0% less for groceries, 5.5% less for utilities, and 5.5% 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.

39

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

Mary Ingles Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

135 Students

Overbrook Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

349 Students

Cross Lanes Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

309 Students

Ruffner Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

290 Students

John Adams Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

Andrew Jackson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

512 Students

Horace Mann Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

399 Students

Stonewall Jackson Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

377 Students

Sissonville Middle School

Public

Grades 5-8

541 Students

George Washington High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,195 Students

Sissonville High School

Public

Grades 9-12

563 Students

Capital High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,086 Students

Mt Olive

Public

Grades 6-12

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 November 2025.