Cost of Living in West Virginia
Based on 3 cities we track in West Virginia.
Cost of living in West Virginia is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $758 a month — 30% lower than the $1,076 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $43,146, 35% lower than the $66,029 median across the states we track. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$758
Median Home Value
$187,300
Median Income
$43,146
Avg Temperature
55.7°F
Medians across the West Virginia cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.82%
Cities in West Virginia
Compare West Virginia with
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West Virginia cost of living — FAQ
- Is West Virginia expensive to live in?
- West Virginia is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $758 ranks #51 of 51 and is 30% lower than the $1,076 median.
- What is the average rent in West Virginia?
- Across the 3 cities we track in West Virginia, average rent runs a studio around $762, a one-bedroom around $758, a two-bedroom around $969, a three-bedroom around $1,121 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in West Virginia?
- The median home value across the cities we track in West Virginia is $187,300 — 31% lower than the $270,100 median across the states we track.
- Does West Virginia have a state income tax?
- Yes — West Virginia's top state income tax rate is 4.82% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in West Virginia?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $758 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in West Virginia is $43,146.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).