salaryRent is lower than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $40,440 a year. That is $19 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 17 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South Charleston?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South Charleston
| Size | South Charleston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $783 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $956 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,118 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South Charleston 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 South Charleston, so the West Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in South Charleston
Life in South Charleston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South Charleston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $67 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $155,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,540 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Charleston, WV?
Renting in South Charleston costs a median of about $1,011 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in South Charleston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $40,440 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South Charleston cheap or expensive?
South Charleston is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.6% of the typical household income of $68,899. It ranks 17th cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South Charleston?
The median homeowner in South Charleston pays $1,049 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is South Charleston 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 South Charleston?
The median home value in South Charleston is $155,400, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
13,457 people live in South Charleston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.