Cost of Living in Putnam County, West Virginia
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Putnam County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Putnam County ranks #1,897 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 40%)
Sourced county brief
Putnam County median home value reaches $223,300 in census estimate
In Putnam County, the median home value was estimated at $223,300 according to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. This figure is $75,296 above the West Virginia unweighted county mean of $148,004. The median gross rent for the county is $952 per month, which is $175 higher than the state's unweighted county mean of $777. Regarding renter-occupied units, the official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 27.4%. This official percentage is 1.3 percentage points below the West Virginia unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 28.7%. For all owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $881, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $598. The median income for renter households in the county was estimated at $40,380. These metrics provide a statistical overview of local housing expenditures based on official survey data. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Putnam County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.4% of renter household income in Putnam County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $952 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $881. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $38,080 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The West Virginia unweighted mean of county median rents is $777 per month. Putnam County's $952 median is 22.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Putnam County
Rent Burden
14.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,856
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.3%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Putnam County
Median home value is $223,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,783 vs. your max of $1,856.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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