West Virginia

West Virginia is about 19% cheaper than the national average. Across the 9 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 81, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in West Virginia averages $1,027 a month across the 9 cities we track as of September 2026, 47% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the lowest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 9 cities we track in West Virginia, Huntington has the lowest cost of living index at 75. The lowest typical rent is in Bluefield, at $786 a month.

Wheeling has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in West Virginia, at 82. The highest typical rent is in Morgantown, at $1,354 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $4.03 a gallon in West Virginia as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 1% above the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.

Rent in West Virginia rose an average of 4.3% over the past year across the 9 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in West Virginia averages 16.3 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $147.

Full coverage car insurance in West Virginia averages $1,680 a year, or about $140 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 11th lowest of 51 states.