The 26003 zip code in Wheeling tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in West Virginia.
We looked at 41 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in West Virginia
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling 🥇 | 100.0 | $141,215 | $828 |
| 2 | Weirton 🥈 | 98.9 | $135,959 | $758 |
| 3 | Clarksburg 🥉 | 95.5 | $113,638 | $1,312 |
| 4 | Moundsville | 93.3 | $119,285 | $1,312 |
| 5 | Keyser | 91.9 | $177,470 | $1,312 |
| 6 | Pleasant Valley | 90.9 | $177,891 | $1,312 |
| 7 | Vienna | 90.8 | $173,680 | $1,312 |
| 8 | Huntington | 90.1 | $120,234 | $1,312 |
| 9 | Charleston | 90.1 | $96,442 | $1,312 |
| 10 | Buckhannon | 87.9 | $158,119 | $1,312 |
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1. Wheeling
Here's why the 26003 zip code in Wheeling is West Virginia's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Wheeling
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $141,215[1] | No. 10 | -$60,676.88 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 7 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.9%[2] | No. 4 | -16.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.0%[3] | No. 2 | -2.2% |
| Rental costs | $828[4] | No. 2 | -$483 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.46% | No. 2 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $56,662[5] | No. 24 | -$3,854 |
| Property taxes | $940[6] | No. 16 | -$118 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[7] | No. 24 | $0.01 |
Wheeling's 26003 zip code is the cheapest place to live in West Virginia, leading the 41 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $141,215, making it the 10th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -2.0% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $828 per month, which is the 2nd cheapest amount in West Virginia.
The median property tax for homeowners in Wheeling is $940 per household, the No. 16 ranked market in West Virginia.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 24 among West Virginia markets.
2. Weirton
The 26062 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in West Virginia.
🔎 Key data about Weirton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.9 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $135,959[8] | No. 8 | -$65,932.63 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.334743099 | No. 3 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.4610918173[9] | No. 23 | 3.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.6%[10] | No. 21 | 0.4% |
| Rental costs | $758[11] | No. 1 | -$553 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.30% | No. 1 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | 58233[12] | No. 21 | -$2,283 |
| Property taxes | $776[13] | No. 11 | -$282 |
| Energy costs | 0.1156601132 kWh[14] | No. 7 | -$0.01 |
Weirton's 26062 zip code has a median home value of $135,959, which is the 21st-cheapest housing market in West Virginia. You can rent for an average of $758 per month. That's the 1st-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is 58233, which ranks 21st-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Weirton pay a median property tax of $776 per year, making it the 11th-most affordable market in West Virginia.
Weirton ranks No. 7 among West Virginia energy markets. You'll pay 0.1156601132 per kWh of electricity.
3. Clarksburg
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in West Virginia is Clarksburg's 26301 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Clarksburg
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.5 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $113,638[15] | No. 3 | -$88,253.66 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.343246049 | No. 4 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3268681171[16] | No. 9 | -10.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.1%[17] | No. 4 | -1.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[18] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 48496[19] | No. 31 | -$12,020 |
| Property taxes | $729[20] | No. 8 | -$329 |
| Energy costs | 0.1156601132 kWh[21] | No. 7 | -$0.01 |
The No. 3 cheapest housing market in West Virginia is Clarksburg's 26301 zip code, with a median home value of $113,638. Rents in the market average $1,312 per month, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Clarksburg is $729, which makes it the 8th-cheapest place in West Virginia. Clarksburg ranks No. 7 among West Virginia markets by energy costs. Residents pay 0.1156601132 per kWh of electricity.
4. Moundsville
The 26041 zip code in Moundsville comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in West Virginia.
🔎 Key data about Moundsville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 93.3 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $119,285[22] | No. 4 | -$82,607.15 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.185579707 | No. 2 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1532026647[23] | No. 1 | -27.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.3%[24] | No. 1 | -2.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[25] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 54578[26] | No. 26 | -$5,938 |
| Property taxes | $567[27] | No. 3 | -$491 |
| Energy costs | 0.159586193 kWh[28] | No. 41 | $0.03 |
The No. 4 cheapest housing market in West Virginia is Moundsville's 26041 zip code, where the median home value is $119,285. Renters here pay an average of $1,312 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Moundsville ranks 41st among West Virginia markets. Residents pay 0.159586193 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $567, which makes it the 3rd-cheapest market in West Virginia.
5. Keyser
The 26726 zip code in Keyser ranks No. 5 among West Virginia's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Keyser
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.9 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $177,470[29] | No. 22 | -$24,422.06 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.643317086 | No. 9 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.4411788496[30] | No. 21 | 1.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0%[31] | No. 16 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[32] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 67139[33] | No. 12 | $6,623 |
| Property taxes | $805[34] | No. 12 | -$253 |
| Energy costs | 0.1106980893 kWh[35] | No. 1 | -$0.02 |
Keyser's 26726 zip code has a median home value of $177,470, the 22nd-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 0% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Keyser is $805. It's the 12th-cheapest market by tax rate in West Virginia.
6. Pleasant Valley
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in West Virginia is the 26554 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Pleasant Valley
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.9 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $177,891[36] | No. 24 | -$24,001.06 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.971033971 | No. 18 | -0.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.311812158[37] | No. 6 | -11.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.8%[38] | No. 7 | -1.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[39] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 59875[40] | No. 19 | -$641 |
| Property taxes | $1,077[41] | No. 24 | $19 |
| Energy costs | 0.1156601132 kWh[42] | No. 7 | -$0.01 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Pleasant Valley's 26554 zip code, which has the 24th-cheapest home values in West Virginia. The median home value is $177,891. Rents average $1,312 per month, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay 0.1156601132 per kWh of electricity. It's the 7th-cheapest energy market.
7. Vienna
Vienna's 26105 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in West Virginia.
🔎 Key data about Vienna
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.8 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $173,680[43] | No. 19 | -$28,211.26 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.756351433 | No. 10 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3746293475[44] | No. 13 | -5.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0%[45] | No. 16 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[46] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 63011[47] | No. 14 | $2,495 |
| Property taxes | $1,094[48] | No. 26 | $36 |
| Energy costs | 0.1156601132 kWh[49] | No. 7 | -$0.01 |
You'll find the 19th-cheapest home values in West Virginia in Vienna's 26105 zip code. The median value: $173,680. Renters in Vienna pay an average of $1,312 per month.
Homeowners in Vienna pay a median property tax of $1,094 per year, which is West Virginia's 26th-most affordable market.
The average household income is 63011, which ranks 14th-highest in the state.
8. Huntington
The 8th-cheapest place to live in West Virginia is Huntington's 25704 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Huntington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.1 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $120,234[50] | No. 5 | -$81,657.65 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.544421153 | No. 8 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3682735737[51] | No. 11 | -5.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.3%[52] | No. 11 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[53] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 47254[54] | No. 35 | -$13,262 |
| Property taxes | $660[55] | No. 5 | -$398 |
| Energy costs | 0.1530867181 kWh[56] | No. 26 | $0.02 |
The 5th-cheapest housing market in West Virginia is Huntington's 25704 zip code, with a median home value of $120,234. Renters pay an average of $1,312 per month, the No. 7 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Huntington is $660, which makes it the 5th-cheapest place in West Virginia. The average household income of 47254 ranks 35th.
9. Charleston
Charleston's 25302 zip code sneaks into the top ten of West Virginia's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Charleston
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.1 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $96,442[57] | No. 1 | -$105,449.83 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.074108419 | No. 1 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3262633194[58] | No. 8 | -10.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.7%[59] | No. 23 | 0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[60] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 46498[61] | No. 37 | -$14,018 |
| Property taxes | $957[62] | No. 18 | -$101 |
| Energy costs | 0.1530867181 kWh[63] | No. 26 | $0.02 |
The 1st-cheapest housing market in West Virginia is Charleston's 25302 zip code, where the median home value is $96,442. Renters pay an average of $1,312 per month. It's the state's 7th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $957, which makes it the 18th-cheapest property tax rate in West Virginia.
10. Buckhannon
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in West Virginia goes to the 26201 zip code in Buckhannon.
🔎 Key data about Buckhannon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 41 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.9 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $158,119[64] | No. 14 | -$43,772.40 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.164791775 | No. 20 | -0.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3936978502[65] | No. 16 | -3.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.1929644016%[66] | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,312[67] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.17% | No. 7 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 49962[68] | No. 29 | -$10,554 |
| Property taxes | $706[69] | No. 7 | -$352 |
| Energy costs | 0.1156601132 kWh[70] | No. 7 | -$0.01 |
The 14th-most affordable market in West Virginia is Buckhannon's 26201 zip code. The median home value is $158,119. Rent in the market costs $1,312 per month on average, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in West Virginia.
The median property tax for households in Buckhannon is $706, which is the 7th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Buckhannon ranks No. 7 among West Virginia markets by energy costs, with households paying 0.1156601132 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in West Virginia
We evaluated 41 zip codes in West Virginia with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in West Virginia, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the West Virginia average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the West Virginia average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
