Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
South Charleston is a moderately-sized city located in the state of West Virginia. The city has a population of 12,935 residents. The majority of South Charleston residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in South Charleston. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in South 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around South Charleston, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, education, housing and more.
South Charleston, WV receives 70/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #59 in West Virginia and #7,327 in the USA. If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that South Charleston ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). South Charleston does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D-). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in South Charleston can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
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 South Charleston is real estate affordability. The median home price for South Charleston homes is $228,064, which is 18.7% higher than the West Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in South Charleston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 3.2% lower than the West Virginia 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 | South Charleston | West Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.7% | 82.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.8% | 9.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.3% | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.6% | 3.1% | 4.6% |
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