Cost of Living in Charleston, WV - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $810 (excluding rent), and $1,778 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,877 (excluding rent), and $3,488 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.05 $15.05

$10.03 $10.03

$35.11 $35.11

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.9 $49.9

$39.92 $39.92

$79.8 $79.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.22 $8.22

$12.33 $12.33

Cappuccino

$2.8 $2.8

$1.98 $1.98

$5.94 $5.94

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.51 $1.51

$5.03 $5.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$0.98 $0.98

$4.92 $4.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.01 $3.01

$2.51 $2.51

$10.04 $10.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.07 $6.07

$5.06 $5.06

$12.14 $12.14

Milk (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

$0.56 $0.56

$1.01 $1.01

White Bread (500g)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.94 $1.94

$4.88 $4.88

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$6.77 $6.77

Eggs

$3.3 $3.3

$1.91 $1.91

$7.08 $7.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.3 $10.3

$8.78 $8.78

$17.52 $17.52

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.56 $9.56

$4.42 $4.42

$15.5 $15.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.62 $15.62

$11.16 $11.16

$20.07 $20.07

Apples (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$2.98 $2.98

$8.95 $8.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.98 $0.98

$3.26 $3.26

Oranges (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$0.99 $0.99

$7.62 $7.62

Tomato (1kg)

$4.87 $4.87

$3.93 $3.93

$6.52 $6.52

Potato (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.09 $1.09

$6.52 $6.52

Onion (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.23 $2.23

$4.48 $4.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.28 $1.28

$1.97 $1.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.61 $0.61

$2.62 $2.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.9 $5.9

$9.78 $9.78

Wine (Bottle)

$10.04 $10.04

$20.07 $20.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.63 $2.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.5 $1.5

$4.03 $4.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.29 $1.29

$2.06 $2.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.1 $59.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 $3.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.38 $1.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.64 $24.64

$29.57 $29.57

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.7 $0.7

$0.93 $0.93

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.3K $34.3K

$23K $23K

$35.4K $35.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$24.3K $24.3K

$25.5K $25.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$119 $119

$79.8 $79.8

$223 $223

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$46.11 $46.11

$35.6 $35.6

$102 $102

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.9 $55.9

$35.54 $35.54

$86.3 $86.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.06 $31.06

$17.53 $17.53

$50.1 $50.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.71 $16.71

Cinema Ticket

$12.14 $12.14

$16.19 $16.19

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,550 $1,550

$1,385 $1,385

$1,627 $1,627

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.5K $17.5K

$9,042 $9,042

$19.6K $19.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.78 $41.78

$30.51 $30.51

$55.9 $55.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.26 $40.26

$34.22 $34.22

$75.5 $75.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.8 $88.8

$65 $65

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 $101

$69.9 $69.9

$120 $120

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$940 $940

$705 $705

$1,209 $1,209

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$786 $786

$589 $589

$982 $982

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,789 $1,789

$2,981 $2,981

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,287 $1,287

$2,475 $2,475

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,126 $1,126

$1,053 $1,053

$1,162 $1,162

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,107 $1,107

$1,035 $1,035

$1,142 $1,142

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,394 $3,394

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

5.8

7.4

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 25, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Charleston, WV - Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston tends to offer a friendly balance of value and practicality, especially when you compare it with larger metro hubs. The Cost of Living in Charleston, WV, United States sits in a comfortable middle ground, with housing and everyday expenses generally lower than big-city benchmarks while still serving groceries, services, and reliable internet. Neighborhoods near downtown or the riverfront provide walkability and quick access to amenities, while a short drive opens up quieter residential areas. Cultural events, a compact city layout, and easy access to nature help make daily life doable for work and exploration. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and daily rhythms before committing long-term.

Charleston offers a mix of walkable downtown blocks, older brick homes, and affordable rental options in surrounding neighborhoods. For groceries and dining, you’ll find a solid mix of local markets, mid-range eateries, and coffee spots ideal for remote work. Public transit serves the core, and many digital nomads rely on a bike or car for weekend trips to parks along the Kanawha River. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi provide flexible work settings. For errands, plan around mid-sized shopping districts and farmers’ markets. Charleston, WV, United States living cost varies by neighborhood, so check local listings and walkability when you compare options. Tip: Build a short list of neighborhoods that match your daily routine and test them on different days.

Quality of life here leans on a manageable pace, good access to outdoor recreation, and a sense of community in a range of neighborhoods. A practical budgeting framework helps: identify housing cost relative to income, set a cap for groceries, and reserve funds for transportation and utilities that shift with the seasons. Save by buying seasonal produce, choosing energy-efficient options, and prioritizing public transit or biking when possible. If you test a few districts – from riverfront to east end to quieter hills – you’ll sense the vibe, safety cues, and daily rhythms that fit you. Tip: Plan a 2–4 week trial stay in each candidate area before choosing.