West Virginia Cost of Living & Rents (2026)
Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 14 benchmark metropolitan areas in West Virginia.
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Metropolitan Areas in West Virginia
| Metro Area | COL Index | HUD 1BR Rent | HUD 2BR Rent | Living Wage | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WV | 117.7 | $1,052/mo | $1,376/mo | $26.03/hr | View |
| Putnam County, WV | 115.4 | $834/mo | $1,091/mo | $25.51/hr | View |
| Morgantown, WV | 109.0 | $902/mo | $1,143/mo | $24.10/hr | View |
| Martinsburg, WV | 108.7 | $949/mo | $1,215/mo | $24.04/hr | View |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 105.7 | $798/mo | $974/mo | $23.37/hr | View |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 102.8 | $864/mo | $1,006/mo | $22.73/hr | View |
| Raleigh County, WV | 102.5 | $760/mo | $972/mo | $22.68/hr | View |
| Charleston, WV | 101.9 | $844/mo | $1,048/mo | $22.53/hr | View |
| Morgan County, WV | 101.6 | $866/mo | $979/mo | $22.47/hr | View |
| Fayette County, WV | 100.2 | $735/mo | $961/mo | $22.16/hr | View |
| Boone County, WV | 97.7 | $722/mo | $944/mo | $21.60/hr | View |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 96.7 | $776/mo | $1,007/mo | $21.39/hr | View |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 95.5 | $822/mo | $1,009/mo | $21.12/hr | View |
| Beckley, WV | 88.5 | $780/mo | $960/mo | $17.80/hr | View |
Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for West Virginia. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, & metropolitan living. Official 2026 economic data for West Virginia compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 103.1 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $836 a month.
The average living wage for a single adult in West Virginia is approximately $22.68/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $23.39/hour to cover basic necessities.