West Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Upshur County, WV

The median household in Upshur County, WV earns $54,338 a year ($4,528/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $961/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$54,338$4,528 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$961HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.5-10.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential WV
Census Population23,712Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$961Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,358At 30% of $54,338
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Upshur County, WV

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Upshur 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 Upshur County, WV
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$728$8,736$29,12016.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$732$8,784$29,28016.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$961$11,532$38,44021.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,205$14,460$48,20026.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,612$19,344$64,48035.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Upshur County, WV →

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

Based on the local median household income of $54,338/year ($4,528/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,264/moRent ($961 2-BR), utilities (~$139/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,358/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$906/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.

$54,338
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,338
Net 81%
Fed 8%
WV 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,213After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,684Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,701Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,341 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$1,627 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,157 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Upshur County, WV

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Upshur County, WV is $54,338 per year (approximately $4,528 per month).

What is the average rent in Upshur County, WV?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Upshur County, WV are $728 for a studio, $732 for 1 bedroom, $961 for 2 bedrooms, $1,205 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,612 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Upshur 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 Upshur County, WV?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($961/month) in Upshur County, WV requires a minimum gross household income of $38,440 per year ($3,203 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $54,338/year ($4,528/month) in Upshur County, WV, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,264/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,358/month to discretionary spending, and $906/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Upshur 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.