Cost of Living in Charles Town, WV
Population 6,854 · West Virginia · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Incomes in Charles Town punch well above what you'd expect from a town of 6,854. The reason is straightforward: extraction-sector wages. Median household earnings of $94,830 pair with home values that remain well below the national median.
Charles Town is about 50 miles northwest of Arlington, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 58% lower than Arlington's $865,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Charles Town
The median home value in Charles Town is $359,500 — 18% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,086/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,830/year is 27% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. West Virginia's top state income tax rate is 6.5% and the combined sales tax is 6.4%. The climate averages highs of 64.8°F and lows of 43.4°F. Overall, Charles Town has a cost of living index of 104 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% more expensive.
Charles Town has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 41 | 45 | 54 | 65 | 74 | 82 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 67 | 55 | 45 |
| Low °F | 24 | 25 | 32 | 42 | 51 | 60 | 65 | 63 | 55 | 44 | 34 | 27 |
| Precip" | 2.60 | 2.14 | 3.42 | 3.36 | 4.05 | 3.85 | 3.78 | 3.02 | 4.03 | 2.99 | 2.73 | 3.00 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Charles Town, WV?
Charles Town has a cost index of 104 (100 = national average). It is 4% above the national average.
What is average rent in Charles Town, WV?
The median gross rent in Charles Town is $1,086 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Charles Town?
The median home value in Charles Town is $359,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Charles Town?
The median household income in Charles Town is $94,830 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Charles Town, WV?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Charles Town is 6.4%. The West Virginia state income tax top rate is 6.5%.
Is Charles Town, WV affordable?
Charles Town is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 104 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Charles Town?
Charles Town has average high temperatures of 64.8°F and average lows of 43.4°F. Annual precipitation is 39". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Charles Town at a Glance
- Population
- 6,854
- Median Income
- $94,830
- Home Value
- $359,500
- Median Rent
- $1,086/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 64.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
West Virginia Rankings
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