West Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Wetzel County, WV

The median household in Wetzel County, WV earns $56,836 a year ($4,736/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $937/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,480 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$56,836$4,736 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$937HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.5-10.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential WV
Census Population14,078Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$937Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,480To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,421At 30% of $56,836
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wetzel County, WV

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wetzel 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 Wetzel County, WV
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$709$8,508$28,36015%
1-Bedroom Apartment$714$8,568$28,56015.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$937$11,244$37,48019.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,206$14,472$48,24025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,241$14,892$49,64026.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Wetzel County, WV →

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

Based on the local median household income of $56,836/year ($4,736/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,368/moRent ($937 2-BR), utilities (~$139/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,421/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$947/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.

$56,836
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$56,836
Net 81%
Fed 8%
WV 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,115After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,843Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,774Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,640 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$1,733 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,348 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wetzel County, WV

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wetzel County, WV is $56,836 per year (approximately $4,736 per month).

What is the average rent in Wetzel County, WV?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wetzel County, WV are $709 for a studio, $714 for 1 bedroom, $937 for 2 bedrooms, $1,206 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,241 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($937/month) in Wetzel County, WV requires a minimum gross household income of $37,480 per year ($3,123 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $56,836/year ($4,736/month) in Wetzel County, WV, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,368/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,421/month to discretionary spending, and $947/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wetzel 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.