Cost of Living in West Virginia

343 cities | Population: 787,860

Average Cost of Living Index (US = 100)

Median Income: $54,014

Cost of Living in West Virginia: Overview

West Virginia has a cost of living index of 73, making it 27% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $54,014 (28% below the US median of $75,149). Across 343 cities tracked in West Virginia, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across West Virginia cities is $809/mo (39% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $130,311 (57% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 40-point spread between the most affordable city, New Martinsville (index 62), and the most expensive, Ranson corporation (index 103) — a moderate range typical of states with a mix of urban and rural areas.

When evaluating West Virginia, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in West Virginia by population are Charleston (index 74, pop. 47,918), Huntington (index 67, pop. 46,189), Morgantown (index 79, pop. 30,273), Parkersburg (index 63, pop. 29,461), and Wheeling (index 67, pop. 26,670). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.

Cost of Living Map

Top 147 cities by population. Click a marker for details.

Most Expensive in West Virginia

1. Ranson corporation (5,588) 103 2. Charles Town (6,854) 101 3. Cheat Lake (10,485) 94 4. Bridgeport (9,292) 92 5. Teays Valley (13,961) 91 6. Brookhaven (6,465) 86 7. Martinsburg (18,805) 85 8. Morgantown (30,273) 79 9. Pea Ridge (7,188) 75 10. Charleston (47,918) 74

Cheapest in West Virginia

1. New Martinsville (5,175) 62 2. Parkersburg (29,461) 63 3. Weirton (18,785) 64 4. Bluefield (9,511) 64 5. Moundsville (7,934) 64 6. Clarksburg (15,829) 65 7. Oak Hill (8,057) 65 8. Princeton (5,780) 66 9. Huntington (46,189) 67 10. Wheeling (26,670) 67

Best Places to Live in West Virginia (2026)

Our data-driven guide ranking the top 15 cities by affordability, income, housing, and climate.

All Cities in West Virginia (343)

City	Population	Cost Index	Median Income	Median Rent	Home Value
Charleston	47,918	74	$64,512	$898/mo	$187,300
Huntington	46,189	67	$43,146	$863/mo	$118,800
Morgantown	30,273	79	$42,245	$888/mo	$238,200
Parkersburg	29,461	63	$44,675	$746/mo	$113,900
Wheeling	26,670	67	$48,498	$795/mo	$142,500
Martinsburg	18,805	85	$54,590	$1,090/mo	$231,900
Weirton	18,785	64	$56,699	$750/mo	$122,800
Fairmont	18,303	73	$60,791	$902/mo	$159,100
Beckley	16,977	70	$39,939	$867/mo	$148,800
Clarksburg	15,829	65	$46,859	$775/mo	$114,600
Teays Valley	13,961	91	$106,798	$1,238/mo	$271,900
South Charleston	13,594	69	$59,616	$857/mo	$144,800
St. Albans	10,637	69	$58,788	$888/mo	$131,800
Vienna	10,575	69	$65,211	$837/mo	$155,500
Cheat Lake	10,485	94	$111,379	$1,113/mo	$345,500
Cross Lanes	10,172	71	$62,704	$916/mo	$144,000
Bluefield	9,511	64	$43,826	$790/mo	$101,000
Bridgeport	9,292	92	$99,936	$1,227/mo	$276,700
Oak Hill	8,057	65	$51,799	$826/mo	$110,400
Moundsville	7,934	64	$48,590	$801/mo	$108,500
Dunbar	7,340	69	$54,647	$904/mo	$121,100
Pea Ridge	7,188	75	$67,708	$953/mo	$186,900
Nitro	6,941	69	$52,247	$916/mo	$120,400
Hurricane	6,891	72	$67,083	$854/mo	$190,400
Elkins	6,875	70	$47,746	$897/mo	$130,500
Charles Town	6,854	101	$94,830	$1,086/mo	$359,500
Brookhaven	6,465	86	$84,962	$1,077/mo	$254,500
Princeton	5,780	66	$44,428	$830/mo	$115,800
Ranson corporation	5,588	103	$86,378	$1,520/mo	$220,700
New Martinsville	5,175	62	$51,226	$718/mo	$112,600
Buckhannon	5,144	68	$48,720	$800/mo	$152,000
Keyser	4,870	62	$47,991	$631/mo	$141,400
Grafton	4,671	51	$38,872	$429/mo	$72,700
Barboursville	4,394	76	$59,531	$916/mo	$212,000
Point Pleasant	4,009	60	$40,837	$631/mo	$113,900
Westover	4,007	74	$58,333	$895/mo	$179,500
Pinch	3,893	74	$72,406	$865/mo	$198,400
Weston	3,884	63	$51,399	$793/mo	$88,000
Lewisburg	3,871	80	$52,798	$803/mo	$287,400
Ravenswood	3,846	68	$45,392	$969/mo	$99,600
Pleasant Valley	3,494	78	$58,456	$954/mo	$208,500
Welch	3,492	76	$36,188	—	$56,500
Shady Spring	3,455	75	$70,792	$923/mo	$192,000
Shannondale	3,441	96	$72,283	$1,222/mo	$255,000
Summersville	3,397	66	$52,321	$570/mo	$210,400
Blennerhassett	3,229	80	$85,619	$1,137/mo	$173,900
Petersburg	3,172	62	$48,286	$622/mo	$136,100
Culloden	3,158	71	$89,519	$782/mo	$199,700
Ripley	3,066	59	$35,120	$569/mo	$119,300
Kingwood	2,980	65	$67,411	$636/mo	$162,700
Williamson	2,979	56	$24,119	$555/mo	$93,300
Kenova	2,977	63	$53,438	$780/mo	$98,700
Williamstown	2,977	70	$75,577	$848/mo	$164,100
Moorefield	2,952	62	$47,308	$665/mo	$121,400
Philippi	2,919	64	$43,203	$780/mo	$110,900
Fayetteville	2,864	76	$59,659	$1,035/mo	$165,000
Madison	2,840	72	$57,073	$1,015/mo	$127,200
Follansbee	2,790	60	$52,974	$592/mo	$137,100
Milton	2,773	73	$54,135	$1,050/mo	$123,500
Sissonville	2,706	68	$58,322	$754/mo	$166,300
White Sulphur Springs	2,646	66	$43,388	$797/mo	$119,600
Richwood	2,617	56	$33,614	$630/mo	$67,600
Inwood	2,605	106	$82,267	$1,674/mo	$270,000
Bethlehem	2,568	87	$87,500	$1,291/mo	$203,000
Winfield	2,538	81	$89,917	$1,033/mo	$226,000
Paden City	2,529	65	$53,871	$830/mo	$102,100
Mineralwells	2,489	72	$68,940	$927/mo	$156,400
Hinton	2,413	66	$42,852	$907/mo	$92,400
Falling Waters	2,384	91	$87,632	$1,341/mo	$207,200
Wellsburg	2,364	56	$40,948	$569/mo	$97,200
Chester	2,302	61	$63,750	$686/mo	$110,600
Bluewell	2,281	69	$35,599	$874/mo	$137,800
Stonewood	2,273	72	$44,967	$929/mo	$149,400
Mullens	2,267	56	$65,625	$580/mo	$77,900
Shinnston	2,198	71	$63,750	$940/mo	$135,500
St. Marys	2,178	56	$59,315	$467/mo	$129,400
Hooverson Heights	2,156	64	$58,681	$706/mo	$140,700
Spencer	2,137	61	$25,897	$658/mo	$108,700
Terra Alta	1,992	63	$50,035	$744/mo	$95,900
Star City	1,894	83	$62,031	$989/mo	$256,800
Nutter Fort	1,890	69	$62,917	$907/mo	$116,700
Crab Orchard	1,877	88	$59,122	—	$208,000
Belington	1,843	66	$47,361	$883/mo	$95,200
Salem	1,812	55	$43,690	$570/mo	$77,200
Logan	1,736	66	$31,100	$891/mo	$86,300
New Haven	1,735	55	$56,500	$491/mo	$101,700
McMechen	1,735	56	$42,863	$562/mo	$89,500
Romney	1,714	63	$39,118	$586/mo	$150,000
Mannington	1,679	62	$48,750	$722/mo	$92,100
Eleanor	1,655	81	$74,211	$1,011/mo	$236,400
Sophia	1,654	64	$34,498	$782/mo	$112,900
Montgomery	1,635	60	$26,797	$628/mo	$117,300
Chesapeake	1,615	68	$60,526	$979/mo	$83,100
Craigsville	1,584	58	$28,718	$607/mo	$95,300
Prosperity	1,575	81	$82,637	—	$115,700
West Liberty	1,568	94	$43,333	$1,750/mo	$120,000
Daniels	1,542	86	$52,100	—	$182,100
Belle	1,537	67	$74,200	$896/mo	$103,000
Ronceverte	1,523	66	$43,445	$820/mo	$117,500
Marmet	1,520	62	$47,620	$791/mo	$83,100
Glen Dale	1,517	75	$87,955	$907/mo	$200,500
Mabscott	1,488	71	$58,125	$988/mo	$119,100
Parsons	1,481	65	$44,375	$808/mo	$101,500
Alum Creek	1,472	84	$72,250	$1,298/mo	$158,900
Mount Gay-Shamrock	1,440	57	$49,063	$598/mo	$81,400
Wayne	1,433	59	$31,797	$732/mo	$74,200
Ceredo	1,432	63	$48,184	$731/mo	$126,400
Bradley	1,429	64	$58,984	$826/mo	$88,600
Oceana	1,421	65	$47,548	$932/mo	$60,800
Coal Fork	1,414	71	$64,053	$1,023/mo	$101,900
Lubeck	1,412	91	$69,616	—	$240,500
Harrisville	1,408	61	$45,988	$661/mo	$115,000
Shepherdstown	1,399	112	$62,500	$1,152/mo	$474,500
Boaz	1,374	88	$92,708	$1,274/mo	$227,400
Mount Hope	1,369	55	$26,983	$545/mo	$91,900
Barrackville	1,362	66	$81,250	$693/mo	$156,400
Sistersville	1,340	61	$46,875	$713/mo	$95,800
Shenandoah Junction	1,339	90	$109,048	$1,184/mo	$193,900
Rainelle	1,334	57	$36,875	$657/mo	$73,500
Stanaford	1,327	70	$46,944	$873/mo	$154,700
Bolivar	1,317	102	$81,641	$1,420/mo	$253,700
MacArthur	1,287	66	$26,824	$791/mo	$126,700
Fairlea	1,266	83	$23,197	$873/mo	—
Newell	1,252	63	$38,924	$823/mo	$86,700
Coal City	1,236	70	$23,750	$453/mo	—
Man	1,234	67	$57,778	$738/mo	$153,300
Pennsboro	1,227	63	$51,348	$822/mo	$78,000
Granville	1,215	67	$32,015	$789/mo	$135,400
Brush Fork	1,213	77	$51,364	—	$59,200
Ansted	1,210	59	$54,327	$725/mo	$74,900
Alderson	1,182	63	$33,794	$724/mo	$119,200
Hamlin	1,173	60	$56,583	$719/mo	$92,500
Benwood	1,173	59	$39,474	$681/mo	$90,400
Lesage	1,165	79	$38,944	$758/mo	—
Athens	1,156	75	$62,292	$1,020/mo	$156,800
White Hall	1,141	84	$72,000	$994/mo	$260,700
Washington	1,129	80	$44,882	$1,059/mo	$207,500
Buffalo	1,110	63	$55,313	$720/mo	$124,100
Tornado	1,101	85	$81,875	$1,367/mo	$156,500
Enterprise	1,084	83	$73,150	—	$139,400
Bethany	1,066	61	$61,250	$675/mo	$113,600
Poca	1,056	85	$83,750	—	$178,500
Carpendale	1,053	67	$59,679	$709/mo	$169,200
Marlinton	1,050	60	$42,386	$703/mo	$90,500
Glenville	1,049	65	$46,875	$852/mo	$95,000
Despard	1,038	56	$33,929	$596/mo	$82,100
Chapmanville	1,005	66	$35,655	$566/mo	$216,700
Clendenin	994	70	$49,423	$1,063/mo	$81,700
Rupert	977	57	$31,875	$581/mo	$98,100
North Hills	971	92	$143,125	—	$254,700
Sprague	971	80	$59,643	—	$108,900
New Cumberland	949	59	$39,412	$672/mo	$88,600
Monongah	944	70	$54,412	$1,000/mo	$86,400
West Union	940	68	$69,911	$913/mo	$108,300
Rand	915	66	$36,964	$903/mo	$84,900
Addison (Webster Springs)	913	55	$32,708	$512/mo	$98,600
Cassville	900	91	$117,643	—	$231,800
Bath (Berkeley Springs)	899	74	$36,250	$830/mo	$185,400
Middlebourne	895	57	$62,083	$518/mo	$117,100
Smithers	891	52	$32,237	$496/mo	$72,800
Triadelphia	885	59	$55,208	$677/mo	$91,000
Piedmont	872	50	$44,792	$489/mo	$44,500
Mason	863	66	$47,112	$870/mo	$91,900
Gary	858	76	$40,000	—	$55,600
Belmont	853	60	$60,750	$613/mo	$119,800
McConnell	837	79	$27,935	—	$91,700
Great Cacapon	836	83	$44,267	—	$112,500
Elkview	800	84	$71,908	—	$160,600
Glasgow	800	66	$51,304	$879/mo	$96,900
Davis	796	58	$46,488	$528/mo	$122,300
Lavalette	795	88	$68,015	—	$214,700
East Bank	776	66	$70,917	$907/mo	$87,600
Gallipolis Ferry	766	79	$44,250	—	$92,200
Sutton	764	59	$37,400	$682/mo	$83,300
Lumberport	756	63	$49,659	$692/mo	$122,600
Arthurdale	755	85	$78,070	—	$159,000
Lashmeet	734	86	$46,329	—	$178,100
Kopperston	717	75	$22,500	—	$45,800
Valley Bend	713	92	$93,352	—	$253,500
Beverly	713	61	$34,583	$653/mo	$118,900
Rivesville	701	69	$61,678	$840/mo	$132,400
Mill Creek	699	66	$47,457	$842/mo	$112,500
Hometown	699	85	$40,500	—	$167,600
Piney View	692	82	$44,886	—	$135,900
Institute	690	69	$47,625	$988/mo	$93,000
Crooked Creek	675	97	$40,104	—	—
Peterstown	657	59	$45,000	$587/mo	$117,200
Hilltop	655	76	$48,750	—	$61,900
Reedsville	652	79	$59,000	$1,045/mo	$178,400
Rowlesburg	640	60	$52,813	$673/mo	$87,300
West Hamlin	640	55	$35,263	$467/mo	$125,000
Idamay	635	81	$97,311	—	$114,400
Danville	634	54	$30,000	$557/mo	$77,100
East View	625	56	$54,773	$639/mo	$65,900
Beaver	619	79	$30,568	—	$87,600
Thomas	614	70	$55,500	$818/mo	$158,900
Elizabeth	610	55	$28,375	$548/mo	$87,900
Gassaway	600	53	$40,156	$431/mo	$101,700
Robinette	597	55	$25,110	$571/mo	$70,500
War	593	56	$20,852	$722/mo	$28,800
Beech Bottom	588	60	$30,000	$795/mo	$62,800
Wiley Ford	588	88	$89,514	—	$192,900
Harts	578	96	$37,644	—	—
Monaville	578	97	$51,875	—	—
Chattaroy	577	84	$23,321	$903/mo	—
Cameron	572	57	$48,750	$696/mo	$63,000
Jane Lew	565	60	$49,063	$709/mo	$77,400
Holden	561	79	$79,960	—	$93,200
Cowen	560	59	$30,625	$753/mo	$57,300
Anmoore	558	61	$27,738	$762/mo	$77,900
Grantsville	554	46	$28,750	$283/mo	$75,800
Hartford City	529	60	$54,063	$750/mo	$66,300
West Milford	529	60	$69,000	$578/mo	$130,500
Matewan	521	51	$15,378	$356/mo	$102,100
Windsor Heights	511	62	$47,708	$875/mo	$58,300
Tioga	509	97	$83,486	—	—
Clearview	505	77	$73,750	$917/mo	$214,700
Meadow Bridge	504	59	$40,089	$633/mo	$108,000
Big Chimney	497	89	$72,740	—	$216,500
Burnsville	493	64	$83,095	$760/mo	$109,900
Lester	492	63	$30,000	$834/mo	$81,500
Masontown	490	67	$50,938	$806/mo	$128,200
Boomer	488	64	$27,875	$818/mo	$92,800
Bancroft	472	65	$75,938	$815/mo	$114,100
Cedar Grove	468	56	$57,750	$638/mo	$72,500
Delbarton	466	59	$39,167	$633/mo	$94,200
Gauley Bridge	466	51	$19,500	$441/mo	$71,600
Pineville	463	79	$42,037	—	$85,000
Fort Gay	459	56	$27,679	$671/mo	$58,100
Dupont City	455	82	$39,286	—	$133,600
Racine	451	80	$73,724	—	$112,700
Valley Grove	448	66	$54,028	$786/mo	$136,700
Gatewood	443	79	$73,914	—	$96,400
Paw Paw	440	70	$62,500	$989/mo	$83,900
Prichard	434	79	$90,795	—	$94,000
Farmington	431	58	$76,094	$667/mo	$68,500
Charlton Heights	428	79	$94,286	—	$98,200
Newark	424	78	$45,556	—	$86,700
Mitchell Heights	420	85	$66,563	—	$161,500
Union	414	57	$32,281	$418/mo	$158,000
Handley	413	75	$72,750	—	$51,300
Pratt	406	65	$61,042	$775/mo	$128,700
Capon Bridge	405	84	$68,125	$1,051/mo	$235,500
Grant Town	405	80	$53,393	—	$90,300
Flatwoods	404	62	$48,750	$725/mo	$105,200
Stollings	398	97	$43,548	—	—
Waverly	395	93	$79,539	—	$265,000
Hendricks	391	63	$50,938	$675/mo	$126,900
Hundred	390	72	$44,046	$475/mo	—
Franklin	387	71	$81,071	$732/mo	$213,500
West Dunbar	385	65	$37,188	$905/mo	$83,300
Verdunville	380	97	$53,540	—	—
Henlawson	376	81	$14,291	—	$114,000
West Logan	368	58	$43,906	$676/mo	$76,300
Rock Cave	364	89	$50,481	—	$215,200
Ghent	363	105	$143,208	—	$410,200
Hedgesville	349	89	$86,518	$1,313/mo	$190,200
Wardensville	346	65	$38,889	$538/mo	$184,400
Harpers Ferry	342	129	$111,600	$1,813/mo	$430,800
Tunnelton	333	77	$56,875	—	$54,100
Junior	329	55	$29,063	$636/mo	$49,700
Shrewsbury	329	78	$48,674	—	$79,500
Pine Grove	323	80	$53,500	—	$98,500
Leon	322	80	$30,688	—	$109,400
Gilbert	320	60	$53,625	$717/mo	$81,900
East Dailey	320	89	$106,306	—	$216,700
Hinkleville	317	97	$51,716	—	—
Lost Creek	317	80	$68,750	—	$106,300
Bayard	311	60	$30,179	$715/mo	$78,500
Montrose	310	87	$83,125	—	$191,300
Pullman	305	78	$51,908	—	$81,700
Ridgeley	304	70	$51,667	$890/mo	$138,100
Aurora	304	97	$55,296	—	—
Malden	298	84	$49,571	—	$153,600
Albright	294	88	$55,714	$1,018/mo	—
Davy	282	74	$31,389	—	$25,800
Hepzibah	281	97	$95,457	—	—
Durbin	275	78	$44,500	—	$77,900
Bradshaw	274	76	$21,808	—	$54,800
Northfork	271	75	$47,143	—	$35,800
Flemington	265	66	$56,607	$933/mo	$76,000
Iaeger	260	75	$54,152	—	$39,600
Kimberly	260	96	$12,566	—	—
Fairview	253	57	$53,333	$547/mo	$94,600
Chelyan	252	77	$96,250	—	$75,200
Reynoldsville	238	78	$68,750	—	$80,500
Justice	235	79	$42,596	—	$83,100
Womelsdorf (Coalton)	233	80	$56,771	—	$97,500
Reader	229	79	$61,815	—	$89,600
Berwind	228	97	$28,966	—	—
Newburg	225	63	$49,559	$875/mo	$45,600
Apple Grove	223	97	$76,643	—	—
Greenview	223	75	$56,742	—	$43,300
Anawalt	217	74	$26,375	—	$22,100
Wolf Summit	216	81	$34,120	—	$115,800
Norton	205	79	$23,967	—	$92,300
Hambleton	204	80	$45,938	—	$96,000
Page	195	78	$56,513	—	$84,100
Kermit	195	64	$32,750	$784/mo	$115,600
Elk Garden	195	78	$58,750	—	$81,800
Sylvester	192	78	$70,156	—	$79,000
Carolina	188	78	$19,188	—	$80,500
Rossmore	186	97	$33,833	—	—
Ellenboro	184	81	$72,969	—	$109,400
Reedy	182	76	$31,875	—	$57,500
Switzer	179	76	$40,900	—	$48,300
Hillsboro	176	80	$42,292	—	$97,500
Henderson	172	82	$34,375	$831/mo	—
Raleigh	168	96	$38,950	—	—
Whitesville	168	58	$67,500	$654/mo	$90,300
Rachel	167	78	$87,569	—	$80,200
Salt Rock	161	96	$23,411	—	—
Booth	156	94	$234,097	—	$266,000
Camden-on-Gauley	154	79	$52,656	—	$90,400
Baxter	153	80	$7,198	—	$93,500
Quinwood	152	61	$25,417	$781/mo	$70,800
Falling Spring	148	79	$43,750	—	$85,000
St. George	145	138	$87,557	—	$801,100
Cairo	135	52	$29,650	$488/mo	$71,500
Galloway	135	97	$60,486	—	—
Kanawha	130	87	$65,469	—	$195,800
Bramwell	129	77	$33,000	$658/mo	—
Van	129	77	$63,864	—	$70,000
Green Spring	123	98	$76,406	—	—
Brandonville	122	87	$87,083	—	$183,300
Harman	116	58	$30,625	$618/mo	$93,300
Friendly	116	72	$55,833	$1,042/mo	$102,100
Burlington	109	97	$99,028	—	$286,500
Century	107	80	$36,136	—	$105,500
Hollygrove	104	78	$50,667	—	$81,500
Worthington	94	79	$35,625	—	$76,700
Pax	94	75	$26,979	—	$47,300
Sand Fork	93	81	$52,500	—	$119,200
Matoaka	92	55	$23,929	$565/mo	$74,400
Auburn	90	97	$21,875	—	—
Maybeury	87	97	$33,690	—	—
Hansford	86	96	$20,729	—	—
Bruceton Mills	79	67	$56,667	$792/mo	$129,200
Blacksville	59	97	$35,833	—	—
Keystone	52	97	$21,313	—	—
Fenwick	45	75	$48,393	—	$43,400
Belva	35	96	$70,833	—	—
Huntersville	22	97	$36,667	—	—