Cost of Living in Charlestown, IN

Population 8,118 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Charlestown stay well under national norms: a median home value of $191,000 against median household incomes of $77,548 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Indiana. An unemployment rate of 2.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Charlestown sits roughly 20 miles north of Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance). Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s $222,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 63
Rent 69

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Charlestown

The median home value in Charlestown is $191,200 — 37% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $903/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,548/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Indiana's top state income tax rate is 3.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. Overall, Charlestown has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$191,200
37% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$298,157
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$903/mo
31% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,361/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$783
2 BR
$985
3 BR
$1,286
4 BR
$1,456
Owner-occupied 73.7%
Renter-occupied 26.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$903
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,517/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.5 min
2% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.8%
Carpooled
3.9%
Walked
2.5%
Work from home
4.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.0%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$77,548
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$30,938
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
45% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.4%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.3
Male median age 34.2
Female median age 37.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
40%
Good air days/yr
182
Max AQI recorded
267
PM2.5 days
98
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Charlestown, IN?

Charlestown has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Charlestown, IN?

The median gross rent in Charlestown is $903 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Charlestown?

The median home value in Charlestown is $191,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Charlestown?

The median household income in Charlestown is $77,548 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Charlestown, IN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Charlestown is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.

Is Charlestown, IN affordable?

Yes, Charlestown is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Charlestown at a Glance

Population
8,118
Median Income
$77,548
Home Value
$191,200
Median Rent
$903/mo
Unemployment
2.6%
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Indiana →
🗺️ County data for Indiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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