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

60.84

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $869 (excluding rent), and $1,767 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,129 (excluding rent), and $3,590 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.96 $14.96

$9.97 $9.97

$34.91 $34.91

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.94 $49.94

$39.95 $39.95

$79.9 $79.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.87 $7.87

$11.81 $11.81

Cappuccino

$2.82 $2.82

$1.99 $1.99

$5.98 $5.98

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

$2.16 $2.16

$1.48 $1.48

$4.95 $4.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$0.99 $0.99

$4.97 $4.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.43 $2.43

$9.71 $9.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.94 $5.94

$4.95 $4.95

$11.88 $11.88

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.58 $0.58

$1.05 $1.05

White Bread (500g)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.01 $2.01

$5.06 $5.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 $1.68

$6.71 $6.71

Eggs

$3.2 $3.2

$1.86 $1.86

$6.87 $6.87

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.32 $10.32

$8.79 $8.79

$17.55 $17.55

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.67 $9.67

$4.47 $4.47

$15.69 $15.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.48 $15.48

$11.07 $11.07

$19.9 $19.9

Apples (1kg)

$4.28 $4.28

$2.85 $2.85

$8.57 $8.57

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.99 $0.99

$3.27 $3.27

Oranges (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$0.99 $0.99

$7.6 $7.6

Tomato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$4.04 $4.04

$6.7 $6.7

Potato (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.08 $1.08

$6.47 $6.47

Onion (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.24 $2.24

$4.48 $4.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.27 $1.27

$1.95 $1.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.62 $0.62

$2.66 $2.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.99 $5.99

$9.93 $9.93

Wine (Bottle)

$10.05 $10.05

$8.04 $8.04

$16.08 $16.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.6 $2.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.53 $1.53

$4.1 $4.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.26 $1.26

$2.01 $2.01

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.8 $59.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.64 $3.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.42 $1.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.21 $25.21

$30.26 $30.26

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.73 $0.73

$0.98 $0.98

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

$34.8K $34.8K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.9K $35.9K

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$23.8K $23.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

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

$122 $122

$82.1 $82.1

$229 $229

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

$44.58 $44.58

$34.42 $34.42

$98.4 $98.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.6 $55.6

$35.39 $35.39

$86 $86

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.23 $31.23

$17.63 $17.63

$50.4 $50.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.04 $17.04

Cinema Ticket

$12.18 $12.18

$16.24 $16.24

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

$1,548 $1,548

$1,384 $1,384

$1,625 $1,625

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.5K $17.5K

$9,066 $9,066

$19.7K $19.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.58 $41.58

$30.36 $30.36

$55.7 $55.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.3 $39.3

$33.4 $33.4

$73.7 $73.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.2 $87.2

$63.9 $63.9

$128 $128

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.8 $99.8

$69.1 $69.1

$118 $118

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$952 $952

$714 $714

$1,224 $1,224

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$807 $807

$605 $605

$1,009 $1,009

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,776 $1,776

$2,960 $2,960

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,283 $1,283

$2,468 $2,468

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,088 $1,088

$1,035 $1,035

$1,142 $1,142

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,083 $1,083

$1,029 $1,029

$1,136 $1,136

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,077 $3,077

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.

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.