West Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Raleigh County, WV

Prices around Raleigh County, WV run 11.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $52,150 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $944 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $37,760 a year.

Raleigh County, WV at a glance

Median household income

$52,150$4,346 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$944HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)88.4-11.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential WV
Population73,195Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Raleigh County, WV?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$944Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,304At 30% of $52,150
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Raleigh County, WV? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Raleigh County, WV HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Raleigh County, WV, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$715$8,580$28,60016.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$719$8,628$28,76016.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$944$11,328$37,76021.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,313$15,756$52,52030.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,377$16,524$55,08031.7%

Rent in Raleigh County, WV, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Raleigh County, WV

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $52,150 a year ($4,346 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,173/moRent ($944 2-BR), utilities (~$139/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,304/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$869/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $52,150 leaves after West Virginia taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and West Virginia tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$52,150
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,150
Net 82%
Fed 8%
WV 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,548After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,546Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,636Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,078 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$1,535 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,989 / yr

Living in Raleigh County, WV: common questions

What is the median household income in Raleigh County, WV?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Raleigh County, WV is $52,150 per year (approximately $4,346 per month).

What is the average rent in Raleigh County, WV?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $715 for a studio, $719 for one bedroom, $944 for two, $1,313 for three and $1,377 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Raleigh County, WV expensive to live in?

Prices there run 11.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 88.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Raleigh County, WV?

To keep a $944 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $37,760 a year, or $3,147 a month. That is 72% of what the typical household in Raleigh County, WV earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Raleigh County, WV?

On the local median income of $52,150 ($4,346 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,173 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,304 for everything else and $869 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $944 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Raleigh County, WV?

Homes in West Virginia paid 15.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $139. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.