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City Report · WV

Charles Town

Pop. 7,337·1st most expensive in West Virginia·Charles Town rents are up 10.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,976/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.4%
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
+$11
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Charles Town · $1,976
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,976/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$79,000/yr
Local median income
$89,263/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Charles Town's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,630
4 BR+
$1,950
Research median
$1,160/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,712/yr
At $1,976/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.4% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Charles Town, WV is majority owner-occupied, 36.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,337
Median income
$89,263
Median age
38.5
Renters
25.5%
Age distribution
24.1%
18%
33.9%
13.2%
Under 1824.1%
18–3418%
35–5433.9%
55–6410.8%
65+13.2%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
68.7%
13.9%
13.9%
White68.7%
Black13.9%
Hispanic13.9%
Asian2%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
27.1%
25.7%
36.1%
No HS diploma11%
HS diploma27.1%
Some college25.7%
Bachelor's+36.1%
Housing tenure
74.5%
25.5%
Owner74.5%
Renter25.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Charles Town, WV has changed in 5 years

Income
$79,158 → $89,263
up 12.8%
Population
6,373 → 7,337
up 15.1%
Renter share
32% → 25.5%
-6.5 pts
Bachelor's+
33.3% → 36.1%
+2.8 pts
Median age
40.4 → 38.5
-1.9 yrs

Median household income climbed from $79,158 to $89,263 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.8% shift. Census counts show Charles Town, WV adding about 964 residents over the five-year window, up 15.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 32% to 25.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 33.3% to 36.1% across the same window.

Community

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View Charles Town rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Charles Town on your salary?

At $1,976/mo, how Charles Town rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Charles Town rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Charles Town. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Charles Town

About renting in Charles Town, WV

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Charles Town is $1,976/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($89,263/yr), Charles Town ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Charles Town an affordable city for renters?

Charles Town is considered affordable for renters. At $1,976/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($89,263/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Charles Town falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Charles Town?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,976/mo in Charles Town. The local median household income is $89,263/yr, meaning the typical Charles Town household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Charles Town?

Rent in Charles Town has increased 10.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Charles Town rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?

Charles Town is one of the pricier cities in West Virginia for rent, ranking #1 out of 14 tracked cities at $1,976/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Charles Town?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Charles Town ($1,976/mo): Martinsburg ($1,651/mo), Inwood ($1,748/mo), Falling Waters ($1,892/mo).

What percentage of Charles Town residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.5% of Charles Town households are renters, while 74.5% are owner-occupied. Charles Town leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Charles Town rent compare to the national average?

Charles Town's median rent of $1,976/mo is $11 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within West Virginia, it ranks #1 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,976/mo, rent takes ~27% of Charles Town's median household income ($89,263/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Charles Town 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.36–5.12%
Run the Charles Town affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Charles Town
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Charles Town, WV

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