Affordable home values and rent prices, cheaper groceries, and decent access to public transportation contribute to West Virginia’s comparatively low cost of living, but be wary of the ultra-high healthcare premiums in this state.

John Denver may have been onto something while singing a love song dedicated to West Virginia. Almost heaven, West Virginia offers friendly small towns nestled along the Appalachian Mountains, sparkling lakes, and historic rivers. Outdoorsy folks find plenty to love in this state, including its low cost of living.

If nature’s majesty and affordable rent prices could convince you to live somewhere, listen up!

Jerry

, the

top licensed broker

designed to make homeowners' and renters’ lives easier, is here to break down the cost of living details in the Mountain State ranging from your average grocery bill to the cost of

West Virginia car insurance

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How high is the cost of living in West Virginia?

West Virginia has a cost of living index of 90.5, meaning residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to much of the rest of the US.

For comparison, the average cost of living in the US is 100—any state with a COLI above 100 is more expensive on average, while states with a COLI under 100 are less expensive on average.

90.5 may not seem that much less than 100, but the difference really adds up. Plus, it’s miles under the cost of living in the most expensive states like Hawaii (193.3) and

New York

(148.2).

Admittedly, though, the cost of living index can be a bit abstract. Let’s break down what West Virginia’s low cost of living looks like in more tangible categories like food, healthcare, housing, and transportation.

Food: $280 to $822 per month

When we think of basic essentials, food first comes to mind. So first, let’s break down the average grocery bill prices in West Virginia depending on your family size and income.

According to MIT’s

Living Wage Calculator

—which accounts for family size, income, and location—a single West Virginian adult is estimated to spend $3,351 annually or $280 monthly on their groceries. A family of four in the Mountain State can be expected to spend $9,856 annually or $822 monthly at the grocery store.

For reference, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 2020 national household grocery bill average was $412 per month.

Your individual family composition and location will determine your exact food costs, but remember that these are grocery prices only. Late-night dinners out and early morning coffees are all added expenses.

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Healthcare: $712 per month

If there’s a cost of living category that could quickly turn folks off from West Virginia, it's healthcare. In fact, West Virginia has the highest average healthcare costs in the country at $712 per month.

That price can hurt when you compare it to the 2020 national average of $456 per month or lower state averages, like Maryland’s $338 per month.

But it’s important to keep in mind that healthcare costs vary widely from individual to individual anywhere you go. Your healthcare premiums are determined by a range of factors like your age, location, family size, existing health conditions, and the type of insurance plan you’ll need.

Housing: $635 to $1,687 per month

Let’s balance out the high West Virginian healthcare costs with the state’s decidedly affordable housing costs.

As of 2022, the average home value in the Mountain State is only $137,286—that looks much better than the US average of $428,700 or the monumental Californian average home value of $790,475.

Of course, your monthly housing costs will depend on what type of home you occupy. Here are median monthly housing costs for different kinds of homes:

Median monthly mortgage payment: $1,396

Average studio rent: $595

Average one-bedroom rent: $610

Average two-bedroom rent: $705

Average three-bedroom rent: $909

Average four-bedroom rent: $1,062

These prices will vary depending on your location within the state. If you’re in the capital city of

Charleston

, you may still be able to find a one-bedroom apartment for $620 per month. Shack up in the West Virginia University city of

Morgantown

, however, and your monthly rent will be nearing $800 per month.

Transportation: $459 to $1,251 per month

Moving through the mountains can cause somewhat of a bump in your transportation expenses, so it makes sense that West Virginia doesn’t have the cheapest transportation costs. Residents will pay between $459 and $1,251 per month for transportation.

That’s a pretty sizable range, and the exact amount you’ll pay will depend on a variety of factors.

Public transportation in West Virginia is cheaper than the national average, but car insurance premiums are more expensive. Private vehicle owners will have to fill up their gas tanks and get mechanical work done more often because mountainous and hilly terrain makes a vehicle work harder, but gas prices are about the same as the US average.

To get a sense of what you’d pay in transportation costs as a West Virginia resident, consider these figures:

Average annual cost of car insurance in West Virginia: $2,118 to $5,170 (

liability

only vs.

collision and comprehensive insurance

added)

Monthly bus pass: $60

Average commute length in West Virginia: 25 minutes one way

Average cost of a gallon of gas, August 2022: $3.93

MORE:

West Virginia Electric Vehicle Incentives

How much you need to live comfortably in West Virginia: $32,144 to $94,345 per year

Taking all of the above costs into account, a single adult in West Virginia will need to make $32,144 per year, or $15.45 per hour, while working a 40-hour week. For a family of four, an annual income of $94,345 or an hourly rate of $22.68 is needed to meet the bare minimum.

Since West Virginia has a minimum wage of $8.75, living comfortably can be a challenge. And these costs only factor in the necessary expenses—many of the things that add a little extra joy and excitement to our lives will cost a bit extra:

Average cost of a date: $96.84 (US average: $116)

Average cost of a night at the movies: $9.80 (US average: $12.09)

Average cost of a Big Mac: $4.03 (US average: $3.99)

Average sales tax: 6.52%(US average: 5.09%)

Though these minimum income requirements are typically the base of comfortable living in West Virginia, everyone lives and prioritizes differently.

It’s entirely possible to live a fulfilling and happy life for less than the numbers presented here, but it will be good to consider them anyway.

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The West Virginia cities with the lowest cost of living

West Virginia’s relatively low cost of living may look enticing—but maybe you’re searching for something even lower.

There are several cities in West Virginia that can meet your budget! These five cities have a cost of living index well below the national average and could be the ideal place for you if you’re working with a smaller budget:

Grafton

(COLI: 80): Near all the natural beauty of the Tygart Lake State Park and boasting insanely low home prices, this city is ideal for the outdoorsy types.

Clarksburg

(COLI: 82): Come for the low rent prices; stay for the party. This city holds five festivals a year, so it can get pretty lively!

New Martinsville (COLI: 85): With a median home price of $77,500, this West Virginia city is the second-easiest place in the state to pay off a mortgage.

Moundsville

(COLI: 85): This small town of around 8,000 people is nestled up along the Ohio River.

Weirton

(COLI: 91): Though the cost of living here is more than the state average, the median income is higher and thus residents put the smallest salary proportion towards their housing costs.

There are many affordable places to live in West Virginia so if you feel those country roads taking you home, follow them to see what you find.

MORE:

How to donate a car in West Virginia

How to easily find home and car insurance in West Virginia

No matter where you choose to move in the Mountain State, you’ll want to secure great car and home insurance policies. Sure, West Virginia car insurance rates are a little scary, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept insanely high rates.

Use the

Jerry

app to search for West Virginia insurance policies and you could find hundreds of dollars in savings!

It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. As a

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