Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
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.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Charleston, West Virginia is a mid-sized city with a population of 48,539 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Charleston is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. In Charleston, only 49% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Charleston is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Charleston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in West Virginia if you know where to look. 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Charleston and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Charleston to West Virginia and the national average.
Using data and statistics Charleston has received a livability score of 82 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 96th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Charleston is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Charleston also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Charleston ranks very well for cost of living (A), education (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Charleston does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
If you're living in Charleston, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Charleston an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Capitol, State Museum, and Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Charleston excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Charleston meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Charleston. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Charleston are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Charleston come in at $279,940, which is 45.7% higher than the West Virginia 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 3.8, which is 22.6% higher than the West Virginia average.
| Statistic | Charleston | West Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.8% | 82.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.6% | 9.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.2% | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.8% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.2% | 3.1% | 4.6% |
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