Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown are some of the best places to live in West Virginia. As per the latest data, West Virginia had a positive net domestic migration of 43,000. This geographical shift was largely due to the affordable housing and low cost of living.
The median home prices in the Mountain State are $155,491, fairly low in comparison to the national average of $347K. Moreover, the cost of living is 9% more affordable than in the rest of the country.
West Virginia’s economy grew at a rate of 3.7% in the third quarter of 2023. Besides that, American Public Schools, Arthur’s Enterprises, and United Hospital Center are the major employers in the state across various industries like manufacturing, education, healthcare, etc.
3 Reasons to Live in West Virginia ⛰️
- Excellent Job Growth: Employment in WV is expected to increase by 0.9% every year untill 2026.
- Easy Access to Major States: Due to its prime location on the eastern coast, West Virginia offers easy access to other states and cities like DC, Baltimore, etc.
- Serene Natural Beauty: West Virginia is home to many picturesque sites, like the New River Gorge National Park, offering breathtaking views.
Best Places to Live in West Virginia in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Charleston | 48,415 | $144,620 | $8,808 | 4.5% | 53/100 |
| 2. | Huntington | 46,637 | $116,506 | $7,842 | 5.0% | 52/100 |
| 3. | Wheeling | 26,900 | $131,176 | $8,203 | 5.2% | 51/100 |
| 4. | Morgantown | 30,220 | $261,649 | $9,179 | 3.7% | 60/100 |
| 5. | Parkersburg | 29,685 | $130,923 | $8,430 | 5.4% | 52/100 |
| 6. | Weirton | 18,971 | $127,687 | $8,114 | 5.7% | 48/100 |
| 7. | Martinsburg | 18,678 | $278,826 | $9,476 | 3.8% | 51/100 |
1. Charleston: Best Place to Live in WV for History Geeks
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.6% |
| Median Income | $58,902 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,808 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
Located near the Kanawha River, Charleston offers various outdoor recreational activities along with scenic views of the river. The city is big on art and culture. Residents can enjoy the famous FestiveALL for music and theatre.
The median home price in the city is 58% lower than the national average of $347K. The cost of living is 14% lower than the national average. Besides that, if you are a history geek, you can visit the West Virginia State Museum to learn about the city’s history.
Apart from this, American Medical Facilities Management, the University of Charleston, Robinson & McElwee, etc, are the top employers in the city across different sectors like healthcare, legal, and education.
» Homes for Sale in Charleston, WV: Find your home in this beautiful city.
2. Huntington: Best West Virginia City to Live on a Budget
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.7% |
| Median Income | $39,066 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,842 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% |
The city rests amidst the serene mountains and Ohio River due to which it offers outstanding recreational activities. Moreover, Huntington offers a warm and welcoming community of people along with various festivals to enjoy like the Huntington International Festival.
Huntington is among the cheapest places to live in West Virginia on a budget. The median home price in the city is 66% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 21% lower than the national average.
In addition, Arthur’s Enterprises Inc., St. Mary’s Medical Center, Food Fair Market, etc, are among the top employers in the city across different sectors like healthcare, warehousing, and manufacturing.
» Homes for Sale in Huntington, WV: View thousands of property listings in the Jewel City.
3. Wheeling: Best Place to Live in West Virginia for Families
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.3% |
| Median Income | $46,516 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,203 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% |
Located on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Wheeling is a picturesque town in WV. The city offers a lot to do, you can enjoy live performances at the Capitol Theatre or enjoy pro craftsmanship at the Wheeling Artisan Center.
The median home price in Wheeling is 62% lower than the rest of the country. The cost of living is 23.1% lower than the national average. Along with affordability, Wheeling offers excellent schools and safe neighborhoods, making it an ideal place to raise a family.
In addition, WesBanco, Wheeling Island Casino, RG Steel Wheeling, LLC, etc, are among the top employers across sectors like steel manufacturing, banking, and gambling.
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4. Morgantown: Best Place to Live in West Virginia for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.3% |
| Median Income | $41,103 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,179 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
Located in northern West Virginia, Morgantown gets its charm from its forests and mountains like Coopers Rock State Forest and Caperton Trail. Morgantown is home to West Virginia University due to which the city reflects an artistic and vibrant culture.
The median home price in the city is 24% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 11% lower than the national average.
Apart from this, some of the top employers in the state are Urgent Care Holdings, Gabriel Brothers, Intelligent Solutions, etc, which hire individuals across different sectors like investment, retail, and healthcare.
» Homes for Sale in Morgantown, WV: Live in one of the nicest towns in WV.
5. Parkersburg: Ideal Place to Live in WV for Pleasant Weather
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.7% |
| Median Income | $41,921 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,430 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% |
Parkersburg rests along the Ohio River, allowing residents to get some picturesque views. You can enjoy outdoor recreational activities like boating, fishing, etc. Moreover, the city boasts a lot of green spaces like the Front Boreman Park and the City Park.
The median home price in Parkersburg is 62% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 22.1% lower than the rest of the country.
Besides that, Woodcraft, Simonton Holdings Inc., Teknetix, etc, are the top employers in the city across various industries including computer consultancy, manufacturing, and specialty retail
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6. Weirton: Commute-Friendly Town in West Virginia
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.7% |
| Median Income | $57,373 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,114 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% |
Weirton is a mid-sized town due to which inter-city commute is seamless. The city offers easy access to essential amenities like grocery stores and hospitals. Apart from this, Weirton scores an A+ when it comes to safety, making it a potential choice to raise a family.
The median home price in the city is 63% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 24.2% lower than the national average.
Besides that, some of the top employers in the city include Weirton Medical Center and CHANGE, which provide employment in the healthcare industry.
» Homes for Sale in Weirton, WV: Get yourself a home in this part of WV.
7. Martinsburg: Best Place to Live in WV with Archaic Architecture
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.4% |
| Median Income | $55,240 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,476 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.80% |
Martinsburg’s downtown area reflects a historic vibe due to Italian-style buildings from the 19th century. Moreover, the city offers a vibrant culture with many bars and restaurants around the corner.
The median home price in the city is 19% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 8% lower than the rest of the country.
Martinsburg has a growing job market. The major employers in the city across sectors like education and healthcare are Berkeley County Schools, Shenandoah Community Health, Blue Ridge Community, and Technical College.
» Homes for Sale in Martinsburg, WV: View thousands of listings in Martinsburg.
Bottom Line
West Virginia is the best place to live in the US due to its strong economy and the large job market. Other factors that contribute are easy access to coastal areas and other urban cities.
Healthcare and utility costs in the Mountain State are 8% and 6% less than the national average, respectively. Besides that, home prices are irregular across the state. In some cities, home prices are as low as $116K, and go up to millions. So, before you move to West Virginia, it’s better to do some research. You can search for houses online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with West Virginia’s most accurate home value estimator.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places to live in West Virginia. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in West Virginia and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: West Virginia Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in West Virginia for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the nicest place to live in West Virginia?
Wheeling is the nicest place to live in WV. The city is located on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains due ton which residents can enjoy some serene and calming views. Moreover, housing in Wheeling is 62% more affordable than the rest of the country.
2. What is the cheapest place to live in WV?
Huntington, Wheeling, and Parkersburg are some of the cheapest places to live in West Virginia. The median home value in these cities is around 60% lower than the national average.
Is West Virginia a good place to live?
Yes, West Virginia is a good place to live if you're looking to live on a budget yet don't want to miss out on anything that other cities offer. The cost of living is 9% less than the national average and home prices start from as low as $100K.
