Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Charleston is a smaller city located in the state of Missouri. The city has a population of 5,478 residents. Individuals of White (40%) and Black or African American (57%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 40% of the Charleston population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Charleston. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Charleston could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Missouri if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Charleston and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Missouri and national averages.
Charleston has a livability score of 50/100 and is ranked #867 in Missouri and #25,126 in the USA. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Charleston has received high marks for housing (A-). Unfortunately for Charleston, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Charleston market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Charleston meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Charleston. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Charleston are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Charleston come in at $66,800, which is 52.7% lower than the Missouri average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Charleston, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 24.1% lower than the Missouri average.
| Statistic | Charleston | Missouri | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.9% | 81.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 16.6% | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.6% | 1.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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