Cost of Living in Lewis County, West Virginia
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Lewis County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lewis County ranks #429 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 14%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Lewis County, West Virginia
Lewis balances tight income with fair rents
Lewis County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio matches West Virginia's state average, sitting just above the U.S. norm. Residents earning $52,279 annually pay $737 in rent—affordable by state standards but reflective of modest local incomes.
Right at West Virginia's affordability mark
Lewis's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio ties the state average exactly, and its $737 median rent sits just $23 below the statewide norm. This positions Lewis squarely in the middle of West Virginia's housing-cost landscape.
Competitive with Jackson, slightly below Harrison
Lewis's $737 rent trails Jackson's bargain price of $720 but beats Harrison ($848), Marion ($901), and Kanawha ($879). Among rural counties, Lewis ranks as affordable without hitting the absolute lowest rents.
Lewis's modest but tight budget
Lewis households earning $52,279 spend $737 on rent (16.9%), the second-lowest burden in this group, while homeowners pay just $508 monthly on $135,800 homes. This county offers genuine affordability for both renters and modest-income buyers.
Affordable rural living with modern amenities
Lewis County suits budget-conscious renters and homebuyers seeking solid affordability without extreme isolation. Its $737 rent and $508 ownership costs rival Jackson's best rates while maintaining a slightly more developed infrastructure.
Cost of Living Advisory: Lewis County
Affordability Verdict
Lewis County offers affordable rental housing at a median of $737/month — about 16.9% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Lewis County pay $737/month on average, compared to $508/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 31%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $29,480/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $21,771/year. With a median household income of $52,279, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 27.0% of renter households in Lewis County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to McDowell County where rent averages $686/month, Lewis County is approximately 7% more expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lewis County
Rent Burden
16.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,220
per month
Owner Cost Burden
11.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Lewis County
Median home value is $135,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,084 vs. your max of $1,220.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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