salaryRent is higher than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 36.2 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $86,760 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other West Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of West Virginia. It is number 31 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Charles Town?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Charles Town
| Size | Charles Town | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $795 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,180 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,460 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,767 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Charles Town overall?
Everyday prices in West Virginia overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Charles Town, so the West Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Charles Town
Life in Charles Town
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Charles Town?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $452 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $377,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,770 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Charles Town, WV?
Renting in Charles Town costs a median of about $2,169 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in Charles Town?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,760 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Charles Town cheap or expensive?
Charles Town is rated OK: rent takes 27.0% of the typical household income of $96,270. It ranks 31st cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Charles Town?
The median homeowner in Charles Town pays $2,213 a year in property taxes, about 0.59% of the median home value.
Is Charles Town more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in West Virginia are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Charles Town?
The median home value in Charles Town is $377,700, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
7,337 people live in Charles Town. Numbers are typical (middle) values.