Charleston 63 Average
Charleston Livability #166 ranked city in Mississippi#15,777 ranked city in the USARanks better than 46% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 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 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.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Charleston?

Charleston is a small city located in the state of Mississippi. The city has a population of 2,754 people. In Charleston, the most common ethnic group is Black or African American with a total of 69%. This is followed by 30% White and 0% Asian ethnic groups. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 33% of the Charleston population is married.

Living in Charleston can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Mississippi, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like crime, commute, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Charleston and in the areas around Charleston is a much easier task.

The livability score in Charleston is 54/100 and the city is ranked in the 19th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Charleston has been rewarded with high marks for housing (A). On a less positive note, Charleston does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Charleston, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 27.11% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Charleston an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

The unemployment rate in Charleston has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.3%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Charleston. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Charleston are affordable. Median real estate prices in Charleston come in at $124,731, which is 33.5% lower than the Mississippi 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 2.8, which is 9.7% lower than the Mississippi average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Charleston

See all the best places to live around Charleston

How Do You Rate The Livability In Charleston?

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Compare Charleston, MS Livability

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      Charleston transportation information

      Statistic Charleston Mississippi National
      Average one way commute22min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.9%84.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.4%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home11.7%2.2%4.6%
      Source: The Charleston, MS data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.