West Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Braxton County, WV

The median household in Braxton County, WV earns $50,331 a year ($4,194/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $869/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $34,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$50,331$4,194 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$869HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.5-10.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential WV
Census Population12,208Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Braxton County, WV

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$869Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$34,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,258At 30% of $50,331
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Braxton County, WV

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Braxton County, WV. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Braxton County, WV
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$660$7,920$26,40015.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$665$7,980$26,60015.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$869$10,428$34,76020.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,147$13,764$45,88027.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,311$15,732$52,44031.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Braxton County, WV →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Braxton County, WV

Based on the local median household income of $50,331/year ($4,194/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,097/moRent ($869 2-BR), utilities (~$139/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,258/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$839/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in West Virginia

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and West Virginia state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$50,331
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,331
Net 82%
Fed 8%
WV 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,163After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,430Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,583Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,860 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$1,458 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,850 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across West Virginia with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Braxton County, WV

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Braxton County, WV is $50,331 per year (approximately $4,194 per month).

What is the average rent in Braxton County, WV?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Braxton County, WV are $660 for a studio, $665 for 1 bedroom, $869 for 2 bedrooms, $1,147 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,311 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Braxton County, WV compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Braxton County, WV is 89.5 (10.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($869/month) in Braxton County, WV requires a minimum gross household income of $34,760 per year ($2,897 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Braxton County, WV?

For a typical household earning the median income of $50,331/year ($4,194/month) in Braxton County, WV, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,097/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,258/month to discretionary spending, and $839/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Braxton County, WV?

Residential electricity rates in West Virginia average 15.5¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $139 per month.