
Princeton, West Virginia is a small city with a population of 5,861 residents. According to the most recent Census, 88% of Princeton residents are White, 7% Black and 2% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Princeton offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Princeton could be a positive experience compared to other cities in West Virginia if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Princeton and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the West Virginia and national averages.
With a livability score of 71/100, Princeton is ranked #5,875 in the United States and #47 in West Virginia. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Princeton ranks well for crime (B), education (B+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Princeton, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (D) and employment (F).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Princeton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Princeton meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Princeton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Princeton are simply unattainable. The median home price for Princeton homes is $176,420, which is 8.2% lower than the West Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Princeton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 9.7% lower than the West Virginia average.
| Statistic | Princeton | West Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 85.2% | 82.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 0.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.1% | 3.1% | 4.6% |