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Cost of living in West Virginia

Everyday prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the US average, the 9th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

West Virginia cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

West Virginia next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
West VirginiaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is West Virginia?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$61,770
Typical household incomeA year · 49th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($909/mo) against median income ($61,770). 12th lowest of 51.
4.2
Years of income to buy a home$259,997 median listing against $61,770 income. 15th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to West Virginia?

6,408 more people moved to West Virginia from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in West Virginia

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Morgantown, WV7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,048
    Typical home
    $349,700
    Mortgage
    $1,922/mo

West Virginia next to its neighbors

The states that border West Virginia, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 9West VirginiaThis state11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $909
    Typical home
    $259,997
    Net moves
    +6,408
  2. 12Kentucky10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,089
    Typical home
    $307,775
    Net moves
    +7,269
  3. 17Ohio7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,190
    Typical home
    $284,000
    Net moves
    +11,926
  4. 28Pennsylvania2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,353
    Typical home
    $309,000
    Net moves
    -2,936
Show 2 more
  1. 36Virginia1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,673
    Typical home
    $455,953
    Net moves
    +6,268
  2. 44Maryland5% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,834
    Typical home
    $425,000
    Net moves
    -12,127

West Virginia by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

West Virginia next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
West Virginia89.554.2$259,997$1,429$909
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

West Virginia cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Morgantown$349,700$1,922$1,04893.3

Metro areas in West Virginia

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Morgantown, WV93.3$1,048$349,700

West Virginia next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
West Virginia89.5$909$259,997+6,408
Kentucky90.2$1,089$307,775+7,269
Maryland105.0$1,834$425,000-12,127
Ohio92.8$1,190$284,000+11,926
Pennsylvania97.6$1,353$309,000-2,936
Virginia101.1$1,673$455,953+6,268

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-4,742
2020-21+3,028
2021-22+253
2022-23+3,348
2023-24+4,312
2024-25+6,408

States with a similar cost of living to West Virginia

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West Virginia cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in West Virginia?

Everyday prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the US average, the 9th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 54.2 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $259,997 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,429 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $909 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $119,263 in West Virginia.

Is West Virginia cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. West Virginia's regional price parity is 89.5, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 10.5% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in West Virginia?

The median listed home in West Virginia is $259,997 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 1st lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,429 a month.

How much is rent in West Virginia?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in West Virginia is $909 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in West Virginia equals $150,000 in New York?

About $119,263, using BEA regional price parities for West Virginia (89.5) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to West Virginia?

6,408 more people moved to West Virginia from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which West Virginia cities do you cover?

Morgantown ($349,700). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page