16 cities · Updated March 2026
West Virginia is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 60. The average monthly rent across West Virginia cities is $901, with median household incomes averaging $60,403 per year. The cheapest city is Clarksburg (index 46) and the most expensive is Cheat Lake (index 93).
West Virginia has a moderate tax environment with a 5.12% top income tax rate, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.58% effective property tax rate.
Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent | Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarksburg | 46 | $775/mo | $46,859 | $114,600 | 15,829 |
| 2 | Parkersburg | 46 | $746/mo | $44,675 | $113,900 | 29,461 |
| 3 | Weirton | 47 | $750/mo | $56,699 | $122,800 | 18,785 |
| 4 | Huntington | 52 | $863/mo | $43,146 | $118,800 | 46,189 |
| 5 | Wheeling | 52 | $795/mo | $48,498 | $142,500 | 26,670 |
| 6 | St. Albans | 54 | $888/mo | $58,788 | $131,800 | 10,637 |
| 7 | South Charleston | 54 | $857/mo | $59,616 | $144,800 | 13,594 |
| 8 | Beckley | 55 | $867/mo | $39,939 | $148,800 | 16,977 |
| 9 | Vienna | 55 | $837/mo | $65,211 | $155,500 | 10,575 |
| 10 | Cross Lanes | 57 | $916/mo | $62,704 | $144,000 | 10,172 |
| 11 | Fairmont | 59 | $902/mo | $60,791 | $159,100 | 18,303 |
| 12 | Charleston | 62 | $898/mo | $64,512 | $187,300 | 47,918 |
| 13 | Morgantown | 67 | $888/mo | $42,245 | $238,200 | 30,273 |
| 14 | Martinsburg | 77 | $1,090/mo | $54,590 | $231,900 | 18,805 |
| 15 | Teays Valley | 87 | $1,238/mo | $106,798 | $271,900 | 13,961 |
| 16 | Cheat Lake | 93 | $1,113/mo | $111,379 | $345,500 | 10,485 |
Common questions about cost of living in West Virginia