Charleston, West Virginia
In Charleston, West Virginia, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.91 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.15 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,031, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Charleston's cost-of-living index of 78 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.91
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,031
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$8.49
Combo meal
Electricity
14.77¢
per kWh · ~$133/mo
Car Insurance
$140/mo
$1,680/yr
Median Household Income
$58,887
32% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,680 in Charleston. Compare rates:
📸 Help make this data more accurate
Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Charleston residents actually pay.
Save on Gas
Find the cheapest gas near Charleston:
Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,031/mo in Charleston. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$4.95 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.16 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.39 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.72 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.55 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$10.60 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$4.89 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$3.95 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.24 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.53 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.12 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.20 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.49 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.62 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$7.21 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.70 | $4.95 | +33.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.78 | $7.16 | +23.9% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.21 | $6.39 | +22.6% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.27 | $1.72 | +35.4% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.55 | $4.55 | +28.2% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.34 | $10.60 | +44.4% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.35 | $4.89 | +46.0% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.35 | $3.95 | +17.9% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.81 | $4.24 | +11.3% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.98 | $2.53 | +27.8% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.59 | $2.12 | +33.3% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.89 | $7.20 | +47.2% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.66 | $4.49 | +22.7% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.35 | $5.62 | +29.2% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.19 | $7.21 | +38.9% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$8.49
Casual Dining
$16.15
Monthly Spend
$285.02
+4.01% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $5.26
$8.49
+61.4%Wendy's
2022: $5.94
$9.17
+54.4%Chipotle
2022: $6.37
$9.51
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $3.07
$4.26
+38.8%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Charleston?
Average 1BR: $845/mo · 2BR: $1,217/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
98k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,192
$62k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$59k
household median
Employment by Sector — Charleston
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$69k/yr
~$55k/yr
~$73k/yr
~$24k/yr
~$81k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 54039
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,555/wk · $81k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$471/wk · $24k/yr
Newsletter
Get the Monthly Price Report
We track gas, groceries, and rent so you know what's coming before it hits your wallet. One email, once a month, no spam.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Data updated monthly from FRED, Zillow, AAA.
How does Charleston compare to other West Virginia cities?
Compare Cities Side by Side →