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Is moving to Charleston, West Virginia right for you?
Known for its constantly growing diversity, Charleston is the capital city and one of the best places to live in West Virginia.
Charleston WV affordable cost of living, affordable homes, and small charm town makes it appealing to people of all lifestyles.
If you’re considering moving to Charleston, West Virginia and wondering if the city is right for you or not, this guide contains all you need to know to make the right moving decision.
Let’s find out if moving to Charleston, West Virginia is right for you.
One of the nicest places to reside in West Virginia is Charleston, which is located in Kanawha County. Residents in Charleston enjoy a dense suburban feel, and the majority own their homes. There are many bars and parks in Charleston. Charleston has a large population of young professionals, and the city's populace lean Republican.
In addition, Charleston is a senior-friendly city with a varied population that includes 20% of people who are 65 or older. The West Virginia University Health System offers top-notch medical and dental treatment throughout the state; therefore, the state's health services are likewise quite good. In West Virginia, the tax on Social Security income is likewise being phased down.
The state provides a high standard of living, an active way of life, a welcoming atmosphere, and affordable housing. Additionally, West Virginia has a healthy job market. The scenery, rivers, and streams will captivate you. You'll have the need to go outside.
West Virginia levies a state sales tax of 6.00 percent, a local maximum sales tax of 1.00 percent, and an average state and local sales tax of 6.52 percent.
West Virginia has a smaller tax base for services than other regions of the nation because of the state's minor population centers. You can also save some money in this area due to the reduced real estate expenses, but fewer resources are available for public services as a result.
The population of Charleston, West Virginia is 44,628. The city is nestled in Kanawha County in West Virginia. Here’s a quick breakdown of the city’s population since you’re considering moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
Shorter commute time is good for your overall well-being. So how fast can you commute if you move to Charleston, West Virginia? The American average commuting time takes 26.4 minutes.
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Charleston averages 176 sunny days per year. The American average is 205 sunny days. The weather is most likely one of the key things to consider if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. Here’s a quick breakdown of the city’s climate since you’re considering moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
There are several reasons why moving to Charleston is such a great idea. The city is popular in West Virginia for several reasons.
To give you an idea of what to expect, the following are the top ten reasons why people are moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
Once you figure out the pros and cons of moving to Charleston, West Virginia, it’s easier for you to decide if the city is right for you or not.
To make it easier for you to decide if moving to Charleston is right for you, we’ve listed the key pros and cons of living in the city to give you a better idea.
Charleston is one of the best places to live in West Virginia and the city is home to many livable and beautiful neighborhoods. The following are the best places to live in if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
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Charleston, West Virginia cost of living is 78.5. The U.S. average is 100. Charleston’s cost of living is 21.5% lower than the national average.
The following are the key components that make up the city’s cost of living to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia.
| Living Expense | Charleston | West Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78.5 | 78.1 | 100 |
| Grocery | 99.3 | 95.8 | 100 |
| Health | 105.6 | 106 | 100 |
| Housing | 46.2 | 41.7 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $128,400 | $114,600 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 86.4 | 85.9 | 100 |
| Transportation | 87 | 90.1 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 91.6 | 95.1 | 100 |
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Getting a job in Charleston, West Virginia is fairly competitive.
Similar to several other job markets across America and in West Virginia, Charleston is experiencing its fair share of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. Here’s a quick breakdown of the city’s economy since you’re considering moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
| Employment Information | Elizabeth, New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $19,589 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $45,186 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.6 | 6.0% |
| Recent Job Growth | -7.31% | -6.18% |
| Future Job Growth | 20.58% | 33.51% |
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Start My Quote NowYou might be interested in getting a job after moving to Charleston, West Virginia. One of the easiest ways to get a job is to consider the city’s fastest growing jobs. The following are the top ten fastest growing jobs in the city since you’re considering moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
| Rank | Job Title | Growth % | Average Wage | Jobs IN 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Health Aid | 129.2% | $20,060 | 5,880 |
| 2 | Personal Care Assistant | 125.8% | $19,840 | 17,710 |
| 3 | Physical Therapist Assistant | 121.2% | $50,390 | 1,030 |
| 4 | Physical Therapist | 119.7% | $83,310 | 1,520 |
| 5 | Physician Assistant | 119.6% | $99,090 | 1,100 |
| 6 | Marketing Internship | 119.5% | $44,640 | 1,040 |
| 7 | Nurse Practitioner | 116.5% | $92,890 | 1,060 |
| 8 | Medical Receptionist | 115.2% | $29,670 | 1,440 |
| 9 | Industrial Mechanic | 114.4% | $45,910 | 3,330 |
| 10 | Representative | 113.6% | $30,580 | 1,000 |
You’ll find many high paying jobs if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. The city is home to various businesses and organizations. We’ve collated key stats about the top career options in the city to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary | # Of People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians and Surgeons, All Other | $188,540 | $54,170 | 580 |
| 2 | Nurse Anesthetists | $171,660 | $135,160 | 190 |
| 3 | Chief Executives | $154,710 | $56,750 | 250 |
| 4 | Dentists, General | $147,120 | $79,950 | 100 |
| 5 | Pharmacists | $122,650 | $31,330 | 360 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $118,960 | $79,020 | 60 |
| 7 | Chemical Engineers | $109,760 | $67,630 | 100 |
| 8 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,100 | $52,850 | 180 |
| 9 | Lawyers | $103,880 | $59,110 | 880 |
| 10 | Sales Managers | $100,630 | $46,920 | 140 |
Charleston is home to several leading businesses and organizations. Moving to Charleston opens up several opportunities in this city. The following is a list of the best companies to work for in the city since you’re considering moving to Charleston West Virginia:
Income is most likely one of the key things you’ll have to consider before making up your mind about moving to Charleston, West Virginia. To give you an idea of the city’s average income, here are key stats to look out for if you’re moving to Charleston, WV:
Charleston is home to some of the leading industries in West Virginia. Moving to Charleston WV opens up multiple opportunities in these industries. The following is a list of the largest industries in the city to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
More than 60% of Charleston, West Virginia residents are homeowners. You’ll also find all kinds of homes available to rent in the city. We’ve collated key stats about the city’s housing market to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia.
Buying a home can be a great choice if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. The city is home to various beautiful and livable neighborhoods. Even more, Charleston’s median home cost is lower than the national average. Here’s a quick breakdown of the city’s housing market since you’re mulling over moving to Charleston, West Virginia:
Renting a home can be your preferred housing choice if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. To make it easier for you to come up with the right budget, the following are the average rent of various room sizes in the city if you’re moving to Charleston, WV:
West Virginia has some of the lowest property taxes in the United States.
Also, the state’s average effective property tax rate is the ninth-lowest in the entire United States. Here are key tax rates to consider if you’re moving to West Virginia:
Charleston is not a boring city. You’ll find lots of places to explore and many activities you can do to have fun if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. The following is a list of the best things to do in Charleston, West Virginia since you’re considering moving to the city:
Safety is one of the key things you’ll most likely consider if you’re moving to Charleston, West Virginia. To give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Charleston WV, the following is a breakdown of the city’s crime rates:
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Here’s a breakdown of Charleston crime rates compares to the state and national average:
| Statistic | Count Raw | Charleston/ 100k People | West Virginia/ 100k People | National/ 100k People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crimes Per 100K | 3,184 | 6,707.4 | 1,900.0 | 2,476.7 |
| Murder | 10 | 21.1 | 4.4 | 5.0 |
| Robbery | 48 | 101.1 | 21.1 | 81.6 |
| Aggravated Assault | 223 | 469.8 | 249.1 | 250.2 |
| Violent Crime | 331 | 697.3 | 316.6 | 366.7 |
| Burglary | 660 | 1,390.4 | 328.7 | 340.5 |
| Larceny | 1,947 | 4,101.5 | 1,119.7 | 1,549.5 |
| Car Theft | 246 | 518.2 | 135.0 | 219.9 |
| Property Crime | 2,853 | 6,010.1 | 1,583.4 | 2,109.9 |
Here are the top 5 colleges schools in Charleston, WV as ranked by Great Schools from elementary to universities and colleges.
Chamberlain Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 191 students, Rating: 8/10
Cross Lanes Elementary School
Public, PK-5 | 330 students, Rating: 8/10
Holz Elementary School
Public, PK-5 | 254 students, Rating: 8/10
Kenna Elementary School
Public, PK-5 | 159 students, Rating: 8/10
Overbrook Elementary School
Public, PK-5 | 366 students, Rating: 8/10
John Adams Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 788 students, Rating: 7/10
Andrew Jackson Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 564 students, Rating: 7/10
Horace Mann Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 452 students, Rating: 8/10
Sissonville Middle School
Public, 5-8 | 610 students, Rating: 8/10
Stonewall Jackson Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 406 students, Rating: 8/10
George Washington High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,120 students, Rating: 7/10
Sissonville High School
Public, 9-12 | 598 students, Rating: 7/10
Capital High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,271 students, Rating: 7/10
Garnet Career Center
422 Dickinson Street | Charleston, WV, 25301, Public district 9-12
Carver Career Center
4799 Midland Drive | Charleston, WV, 25306, Public district 11-12
West Virginia State University
University of Charleston
Marshall University
Mountain State University
Kanawha Valley Community & Technical College
Marshall University Graduate College
West Virginia University-Charleston Division
West Virginia State College Capitol Center
Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
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