Studio Apartment Rent in Charleston, WV
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Charleston, West Virginia as of July 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $1,370 and +34% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Charleston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Charleston
Compare Charleston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in West Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton | $580 |
| 2 | Weirton | $690 |
| 3 | Wheeling | $700 |
| 4 | Fairmont | $759 |
| 5 | Parkersburg | $770 |
| 6 | Falling Waters | $820 |
| 7 | Martinsburg | $847 |
| 8 | Charleston (this page) | $850 |
| 9 | Morgantown | $857 |
| 10 | Charles Town | $880 |
| 11 | Huntington | $885 |
| 12 | Bridgeport | $950 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in West Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $950 |
| 2 | Huntington | $885 |
| 3 | Charles Town | $880 |
| 4 | Morgantown | $857 |
| 5 | Charleston (this page) | $850 |
| 6 | Martinsburg | $847 |
| 7 | Falling Waters | $820 |
| 8 | Parkersburg | $770 |
| 9 | Fairmont | $759 |
| 10 | Wheeling | $700 |
| 11 | Weirton | $690 |
| 12 | Princeton | $580 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Charleston.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg, WV | 62.2 mi | $770 | $-80 (-9%) |
| Huntington, WV | 63.3 mi | $885 | +$35 (+4%) |
| Princeton, WV | 75.8 mi | $580 | $-270 (-32%) |
| Athens, OH | 77.3 mi | $890 | +$40 (+5%) |
| Blacksburg, VA | 106.9 mi | $990 | +$140 (+16%) |
| Radford, VA | 108.4 mi | $900 | +$50 (+6%) |
| Bridgeport, WV | 111.3 mi | $950 | +$100 (+12%) |
| Christiansburg, VA | 112.9 mi | $900 | +$50 (+6%) |
| Lancaster, OH | 119.9 mi | $890 | +$40 (+5%) |
| Salem, VA | 121 mi | $960 | +$110 (+13%) |
| Fairmont, WV | 124 mi | $759 | $-91 (-11%) |
| Bristol, VA | 127.3 mi | $780 | $-70 (-8%) |
Studio rent in Charleston — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Charleston?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Charleston, West Virginia is $850 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $1,370.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Charleston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,000 ($2,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charleston expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Charleston's studio median of $850 is +34% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 13th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charleston rank for studio rent in West Virginia?
Among the 12 cities in West Virginia with studio data, Charleston ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Charleston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Parkersburg ($770), Princeton ($580), Fairmont ($759).