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City Report · WV

South Charleston

Pop. 13,457·9th most expensive in West Virginia·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,088/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+9.0%
vs US Median
-$877
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Charleston · $1,088
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,088/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$44,000/yr
Local median income
$63,884/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Charleston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$744
2 BR
$909
3 BR
$1,063
Research median
$909/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
$13,056/yr
At $1,088/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +9.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Charleston, WV is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 37.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,457
Median income
$63,884
Median age
41.7
Renters
29.4%
Age distribution
20.4%
18.2%
28.5%
21.4%
Under 1820.4%
18–3418.2%
35–5428.5%
55–6411.6%
65+21.4%
Gender
46.5%
53.5%
Male46.5%
Female53.5%
Race & ethnicity
86.7%
White86.7%
Black5.1%
Hispanic2%
Asian1.5%
Other4.7%
Education (25+)
30.2%
27.9%
37.8%
No HS diploma4.1%
HS diploma30.2%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+37.8%
Housing tenure
70.6%
29.4%
Owner70.6%
Renter29.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Charleston, WV has changed in 5 years

Income
$54,954 → $63,884
up 16.2%
Population
13,595 → 13,457
down 1.0%
Renter share
28.9% → 29.4%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
31.6% → 37.8%
+6.2 pts
Median age
43.9 → 41.7
-2.2 yrs

Median household income rose from $54,954 to $63,884 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.2% shift. The population has contracted by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 13,595 residents to roughly 13,457. College-educated residents now make up 37.8% of adults here, versus 31.6% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about South Charleston

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View South Charleston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in South Charleston on your salary?

At $1,088/mo, how South Charleston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Charleston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in South Charleston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Charleston

About renting in South Charleston, WV

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in South Charleston is $1,088/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $909/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $744/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,063/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($63,884/yr), South Charleston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Charleston an affordable city for renters?

South Charleston is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,088/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($63,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Charleston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in South Charleston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,088/mo in South Charleston. The local median household income is $63,884/yr, meaning the typical South Charleston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Charleston?

Rent in South Charleston has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does South Charleston rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?

South Charleston is middle-of-the-pack for West Virginia for rent, ranking #9 out of 14 tracked cities at $1,088/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Charleston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Charleston ($1,088/mo): Parkersburg ($968/mo), Huntington ($1,067/mo), Athens ($1,069/mo).

What percentage of South Charleston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.4% of South Charleston households are renters, while 70.6% are owner-occupied. South Charleston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Charleston rent compare to the national average?

South Charleston's median rent of $1,088/mo is $877 (45%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within West Virginia, it ranks #9 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,088/mo, rent takes ~20% of South Charleston's median household income ($63,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Charleston 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.36–5.12%
Run the South Charleston affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Charleston, WV

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