Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Charleston, Arkansas is a small-sized city with a population of 2,544 people. The majority of Charleston residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Charleston entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Charleston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arkansas if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Charleston and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 71/100, Charleston is ranked #6,529 in the United States and #35 in Arkansas. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Charleston ranks very well for crime (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Charleston scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Charleston apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Charleston is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Charleston come in at $181,977, which is 12.9% lower than the Arkansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Charleston, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 18.2% lower than the Arkansas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Charleston | Arkansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 88.8% | 82.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.7% | 10.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 1.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.8% | 3.2% | 4.6% |
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