3 Most Affordable Places to Live in West Virginia

3 Most Affordable Places to Live in West Virginia

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From the scenic and rugged landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains to the state’s charming towns like Harpers Ferry and Charleston, there are plenty of reasons that the welcoming state of West Virginia might be right for you. So if you’re currently living in or are considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of August, the median home sale price in West Virginia is $296,300. 

If that price is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 3 of the most affordable places to live in West Virginia. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $296,300. Read on to learn what three cities made the list.

bridge over mountains and trees in West Virginia

#1: Falling Waters

Median home price: $239,900
Average sale price per square foot: $170  
Nearest major metro: Washington, DC (70 miles)
Falling Waters, WV homes for sale
Falling Waters, WV apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $239,900, Falling Waters claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in West Virginia. About 1,000 people live in this city and it’s roughly 70 miles from the nearest metropolitan city, Washington, DC. Living in Falling Waters, you can visit the picturesque Falling Waters Waterfalls, camp at one of the campgrounds, or check out the Potomac River views.

#2: Martinsburg

Median home price: $252,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $147 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,100 
Median household income: $45,901 
Nearest major metro: Washington, DC (70 miles)
Martinsburg, WV homes for sale
Martinsburg, WV apartments for rent

Coming in as the second most affordable city to live in West Virginia is Martinsburg. When living in this city of 17,500 people, you can stop by historic landmarks like Martinsburg Roundhouse and Historic McFarland House, and visit one of the parks in town.

#3: Ranson

Median home price: $275,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $154 
Median household income: $74,977 
Nearest major metro: Washington, DC (70 miles)
Ranson, WV homes for sale
Ranson, WV apartments for rent

Third is Ranson where about 5,000 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $275,000 which is about $20K less than the median home sale price in West Virginia. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to check out one of the parks in town or visit nearby Charles Town. 

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in West Virginia. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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