Living in West Virginia: Income, Housing, Taxes & Cost of Living (2026)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Table of Contents
West Virginia at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
National Rank |
| Population (2024) |
1.8 million |
39th (declining) |
| Median household income |
$53,955 |
2nd lowest |
| Median home price |
$145,000 |
Among lowest |
| Cost of living index |
84 |
Among lowest |
| State income tax |
2.36-4.82% (reduced, declining further) |
Average |
| Sales tax |
6% (+ local up to 1%) |
Average |
| Property tax (effective rate) |
0.57% |
Very low |
Income and Housing
| City/Area |
Median Income |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (2BR) |
| Charleston |
$48,000 |
$155,000 |
$850 |
| Huntington |
$38,000 |
$110,000 |
$750 |
| Morgantown (WVU) |
$42,000 |
$225,000 |
$950 |
| Martinsburg (DC commuter) |
$62,000 |
$280,000 |
$1,200 |
| Wheeling |
$40,000 |
$100,000 |
$700 |
| Beckley |
$38,000 |
$115,000 |
$700 |
| Parkersburg |
$38,000 |
$110,000 |
$750 |
Martinsburg is the outlier — Eastern Panhandle residents commute to the DC metro and earn significantly more.
Tax Reduction Plan
West Virginia cut income taxes by 21.25% in 2023, with plans for further reductions:
| Bracket (Single) |
Old Rate |
New Rate (2025) |
| Up to $10,000 |
3% |
2.36% |
| $10,001-$25,000 |
4% |
3.15% |
| $25,001-$40,000 |
4.5% |
3.54% |
| $40,001-$60,000 |
6% |
4.72% |
| Over $60,000 |
6.5% |
4.82% → declining further |
West Virginia Pros and Cons
| Financial Pros |
Financial Cons |
| Among cheapest states in US |
2nd lowest median income |
| Homes under $150K widely available |
Declining population (losing services) |
| Very low property taxes (0.57%) |
Limited job market |
| Income tax being cut aggressively |
Health outcomes among worst in US |
| Remote-work relocation opportunity |
Opioid crisis impacts communities |
Related: Cost of Living by State | State Income Tax Rates | Property Tax by State
