Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$53,210$4,434 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Mercer County, WV
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Mercer County, WV
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Mercer County, WV. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $618 | $7,416 | $24,720 | 13.9% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $717 | $8,604 | $28,680 | 16.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $896 | $10,752 | $35,840 | 20.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,206 | $14,472 | $48,240 | 27.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,258 | $15,096 | $50,320 | 28.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Mercer County, WV
Based on the local median household income of $53,210/year ($4,434/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across West Virginia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Mercer County, WV
What is the median household income in Mercer County, WV?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Mercer County, WV is $53,210 per year (approximately $4,434 per month).
What is the average rent in Mercer County, WV?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Mercer County, WV are $618 for a studio, $717 for 1 bedroom, $896 for 2 bedrooms, $1,206 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,258 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Mercer County, WV compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Mercer 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 Mercer County, WV?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($896/month) in Mercer County, WV requires a minimum gross household income of $35,840 per year ($2,987 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Mercer County, WV?
For a typical household earning the median income of $53,210/year ($4,434/month) in Mercer County, WV, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,217/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,330/month to discretionary spending, and $887/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Mercer 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.