What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in West Virginia this week

Out of reach · #15 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median West Virginia household earning $61,770 a year can afford a home of about $195,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median West Virginia listing is $259,997, which would take 37.3% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$195,000

Affordable home price

+$1,285 vs. last week · −$23,212 vs. a year ago

$260,000

Median list price (September 2026)

+$2,997 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · West Virginia 85 a year ago

37.3%

Share of income the median listing takes

$1,922/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$62,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#15

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $257,000 and median income of $62,800 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $218,000 and the median listing took 33% of income. Affordability in West Virginia has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#13 Kentucky: can afford $233,000, median listing $308,000
#14 Texas: can afford $269,000, median listing $356,000
#16 Alaska: can afford $324,000, median listing $435,000
#17 North Dakota: can afford $269,000, median listing $371,000

West Virginia housing market report → · West Virginia brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.