Living in West Virginia means enjoying access to all the scenic landscapes John Denver sings about in his famous song about this Mid-Atlantic state, “Country Roads, Take Me Home.” Located in the Appalachian region of the southeastern United States, West Virginia is known as the Mountain State due to its mountainous and hilly terrain. This makes it a popular state for lovers of nature and outdoor adventure. From hiking in the Appalachian Mountains to boating on meandering rivers, opportunities for outdoor recreation abound.
West Virginia is also notable for its friendly residents and low cost of living. For the most part, things like housing and groceries cost less than the national average. For people seeking an outdoorsy lifestyle at an affordable price, West Virginia fits the bill. But some costs can vary widely between cities, which is why it’s important to examine how the cost of living changes throughout the state. That way, you can figure out the best place to live for your budget. Here’s what the cost of living in West Virginia is like in different cities around the state.
West Virginia housing prices
One benefit of living in West Virginia is that housing costs are extremely affordable. In most major West Virginia cities, the cost of housing falls well below the national average. If you make a good living, it’s easy to afford bigger-sized apartments and rental units here without stretching your budget too much. You could even use an extra bedroom to store all the gear you’ll accumulate for your various outdoorsy pursuits.
Here’s what the average rent looks like in two major West Virginia cities.
Charleston
Located in the southwestern part of the state, Charleston is West Virginia’s capital city. It’s also the most populous city in the state with 48,018 residents. Situated at the confluence of the Kanawha and Elk rivers, this pretty riverfront city has happening events and festival scenes, great dining and shopping and close-knit neighborhoods. While there are plenty of parks and urban green areas around town, West Virginia’s rugged wilderness is just a short drive away. It ranks well as one of the best state capitals to call home.
Housing costs here are also extremely affordable, falling 40.5 percent below the national average. One-bedroom apartments cost $650 a month on average and two-bedrooms go for $750 a month. Both categories have remained stable over the past year. Data about average rent prices aren’t available. The median sale price for buying a home in the area isn’t available, either. But to give you a ballpark figure, the U.S. census lists the median value for owner-occupied housing units as $156,900.
Considering these rough figures, both renting and homeowning in Charleston are affordable compared to the national average. The national median sale price for a home is $430,982, while the average rent nationwide sits at $1,722 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Morgantown
Morgantown is West Virginia’s third-most-populous city, located in the northeastern part of the state close to the Pennsylvania border. With a charming city center and youthful population, this lively small city is best known for being the home of West Virginia University. Residents can tailgate and cheer on the West Virginia Mountaineers sports teams and enjoy the bustling downtown area. Nearby Cheat Canyon offers great white-water rafting and area lakes provide quiet getaways to fish and boat. Hiking and birding are also extremely popular here.
The cost of housing here is also 17.2 percent below the national average. Everyone from students to families loves the low housing prices. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $589, up 3 percent from last year. Two-bedroom apartments cost around $741 per month, also up 3 percent from last year. While there has been some growth, the small increase indicates that prices are staying relatively the same even in this volatile time for renting.
The median value for owner-occupied housing units as $215,000, according to the U.S. Census.
West Virginia food prices
From multicultural dishes with rich, local histories to bountiful yields of native Golden Delicious apples and maple syrup, West Virginia’s unique food culture and cuisine is one of the best parts of living here. Food is deeply tied to the area’s history and culture and big part of the cost of living in West Virginia. A great example of this is the pepperoni roll, the official state food of West Virginia. These beloved rolls of bread, cheese and pepperoni were originally created as a convenient lunch for coal miners. Many recipes use the incredible bounty of apples, fruits and other ingredients that grow here.
Perhaps because many types of food are grown and sourced locally, food costs in West Virginia are reasonable. Average grocery costs here are 2.1 percent below the national average. The average West Virginian spends between $233 and $266 per month on food, which comes out to between $2,801 and $3,200 annually. That’s about the same food spending as more expensive states like California and New York.
As an affordable college town, Morgantown is the least expensive city in West Virginia for food spending. Here’s how other West Virginia cities compare to the national average for food costs:
- Charleston is 1.4 percent above the national average
- Morgantown is 4.5 percent below the national average
In general, food items cost more in Charleston. A half-gallon of milk costs $2.24 in Charleston compared to $1.92 in Morgantown. A dozen eggs in Charleston come with a price tag of $1.80, but only cost $1.39 in Morgantown.
However, Morgantown is the more expensive city when it comes to dining out. The bill for a three-course meal for two at a decent restaurant in Morgantown comes out to around $70. But in Charleston, it’s only $42 which is a difference of 40 percent.
West Virginia utility prices
Overall, the cost of living in West Virginia for utilities, like electricity, water and internet, is less than the national average. If you care about getting your energy from sustainable sources, West Virginia is currently not the best place to live. The state’s deep history with coal mining means that the majority of its energy comes from coal-powered plants. However, renewable energy from hydroelectric and wind sources is on the rise. Looking at all utilities combined, here’s how the cost of utilities in these West Virginia cities compares to the national average:
- Charleston is 2.4 percent below the national average
- Morgantown is 9.9 percent below the national average
Morgantown is the least expensive city for utilities. Total energy bills for the month come out to around $148.01 compared to $176.91 in Charleston. For water, West Virginians pay an average of $72 for their water bills. To put that in perspective, the average water bill nationally is $68.
The price of internet is more expensive in some West Virginia cities. While the average internet bill around the U.S. is $56, you’ll be paying $70 in Charleston and $75.40 in Morgantown for 60 megabits-per-second.
West Virginia transportation prices
Most cities around West Virginia have access to public transportation, which is a great way to save money on gas and vehicle expenses. It also helps reduce traffic, cuts down on commuting times and is a more environmentally-friendly method of travel. In towns and rural areas, mass transit is an essential link between communities.
For the most part, public transportation in West Virginia is affordable, costing less than the national average. But there are exceptions, as you’ll see when we compare transportation costs in these two cities to the national average:
- Charleston is 28.5 percent above the national average
- Morgantown is 8.6 percent below the national average
Charleston is the most expensive city for public transportation in West Virginia. Let’s take a closer look at mass transit services in these cities and what they cost.
KRT in Charleston
The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority, or KRT for short, provides mass transit services to Charleston’s metro area. Consisting of a fleet of buses and vans, it operates 20 fixed routes. All rides are a flat fare of $1.50. Day passes are available for $2.50 and a 31-day pass costs $60. Discounted fares are available for senior citizens and those with disabilities.
Charleston is also one end of the 88-mile West Virginia Turnpike that connects Charleston to Princeton on Interstate 77. Toll fees vary depending on what class of vehicle you’re driving, the distance you’ve traveled on the turnpike and whether you’re paying in cash or have an E-ZPass. For 2-axle passenger vehicles, fees range from $2.73 to $4.25.
In addition to taking the bus or having your own car, Charleston is also a decent city to navigate on foot. With a walk score of 48 and a bike score of 39, certain neighborhoods and parts of town are both pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.
Mountain Line Transit Authority in Morgantown
Residents of Morgantown have several different forms of mass transit to choose from. The biggest is Mountain Line Transit Authority, which operates 20 different routes with its bus fleet. Its routes connect the different WVU campuses, the city of Morgantown and surrounding Monongalia County. The Grey line also provides direct service to Pittsburgh for $15.
There’s a reason the cost of transportation in Morgantown falls well below the national average. Mountain Line Transit is publicly supported and funded, allowing riders to use the service for very low costs. One-way fares are between 75 cents and $1, and an unlimited monthly Monster Pass costs $125. Transfers cost an extra 75 cents to $1. All students, staff and faculty of the university get to ride for free, as well.
Morgantown also has the Personal Rapid Transit, an efficient, innovative people-mover that connects the different WVU campuses to downtown. This all-electric mode of transit not only makes life easier for students, faculty and staff of the university but also offers a more sustainable way to get around. A recent study found that the PRT saves 2,200 tons of carbon emissions each year. Use of the PRT, which has five different stops, is free for WVU personnel and students and the general public pays $0.50 a ride.
Between buses and the PRT, it’s easy to get around Morgantown using mass transit. The city also has a good walk score of 50. Certain areas, like downtown and the university campuses, are very walk-friendly. Morgantown isn’t quite as bike-friendly, though, with a lower score of 34.
West Virginia healthcare prices
Healthcare costs in West Virginia are slightly higher than the national average. One of the reasons for this is that the general population struggles with a variety of health issues like heart disease and cancer. West Virginia doesn’t rank well nationally for the general health of its residents, which could be one reason the cost of living in West Virginia for healthcare is higher. However, it’s important to note that because healthcare costs can vary widely on a person-by-person basis due to factors like pre-existing conditions or the cost of prescribed medicines, it’s difficult to determine accurate healthcare averages.
Healthcare costs in most major West Virginia cities are roughly the same. For example, here’s how much a doctor’s visit costs in these different cities:
- Charleston: $153
- Morgantown: $141.23
Going to the dentist costs almost the same in both cities, at $102.30 in Morgantown and $103 in Charleston. This is how healthcare costs in these cities compare to the national average:
- Charleston is 1.4 percent above the national average
- Morgantown is 2.5 percent above the national average
While similar, Charleston does have slightly more expensive healthcare costs. Since WVU in Morgantown has several university-affiliated hospitals, that could contribute to lower costs and higher quality care. Morgantown is also one of the 50 cheapest cities for healthcare costs.
West Virginia goods and services prices
You’ll also be paying less than the national average for miscellaneous goods and services in West Virginia. This includes everything from getting a haircut to buying toothpaste, as well as leisure activities like going to the movies. Here’s a look at how those costs compare nationally:
- Charleston is 0.1 percent below the national average
- Morgantown is 3.7 percent below the national average
While Morgantown is the less expensive city, some costs in both cities are pretty neck and neck. It costs $30 to get a haircut in Morgantown and is only $0.50 more expensive in Charleston at $30.50. Movie tickets only cost three cents more in Morgantown at $11.16 compared to $11.13 in Charleston. Buying a pizza costs $10.64 in Morgantown and $10.39 in Charleston.
From the friendly neighbors to the abundance of things to do outdoors, West Virginia is a very family-friendly state. So, if you’re planning on raising a family here, you’ll also need to factor the cost of childcare into your monthly budget. Paying for a month of private preschool or kindergarten for one child is more expensive in the state capital, costing $900. In Morgantown, it’s $300 cheaper at $600.
Taxes in West Virginia
West Virginia’s statewide sales tax is 6 percent. For every $1,000 you spend in West Virginia, you’ll be paying $60 on top of that in sales tax.
Many municipalities around the state tack an additional 1 percent sales tax on the statewide rate. This includes Charleston and Morgantown:
- Charleston has a combined tax of 7 percent
- Morgantown has a combined tax of 7 percent
That brings the amount you pay in taxes for every $1,000 spent up to $70. While expensive, 7 percent is the maximum you’ll pay in sales tax throughout the state.
How much do I need to earn to live in West Virginia?
To figure out if you can afford to live in a particular state or area, first, you need to know what you can afford to pay for rent or housing. The cost of housing is usually the biggest expense in a monthly budget. Experts recommend that you only spend 30 percent of your gross monthly income on housing. This helps ensure a balanced budget, with enough left over for other essentials like groceries, as well as fun activities like going out.
Data isn’t available on West Virginia’s statewide average rent. We’ll use the average rent in Morgantown for this example. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Morgantown is $589. To only spend 30 percent of your monthly income on rent, you’ll need to make $1,963 a month or $23,556 annually.
West Virginia’s median household income is $48,037, so most people living in West Virginia can follow the 30 percent rule and comfortably afford housing. This example is only specific to Morgantown, so you may need to make more per month elsewhere in the state to afford rent.
This rent calculator can help you determine what you can afford to pay in rent each month based on monthly income, expenses and where you want to live.
Living in West Virginia
Like John Denver, you too may soon be singing West Virginia’s praises while living here. Not only is the state incredibly beautiful and fun to explore, but the cost of living West Virginia is also very affordable for most budgets. If friendly small cities, endless hiking and water sports and cheap housing sound like your cup of tea, those country roads will be the ones taking you home, too.
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of July 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com