A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
44%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Weirton West Virginia National
Cost of living8785100
Goods & Services9395100
Groceries10098100
Health care9197100
Housing5662100
Transportation10794100
Utilities12596100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Weirton, WV

Understanding the cost of living in Weirton can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Weirton cost of living index is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Weirton are 43.9% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Weirton?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Weirton. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 40% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 60% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Weirton Affordable?

Is Weirton an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Weirton is 49.1% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 31.6% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Weirton has a median household income of $50,822, which is 8.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Weirton?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Weirton, the groceries index is 0.3% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Weirton, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 3%.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Weirton, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Weirton is 2% higher than the West Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Weirton is 13% lower than the national average
  • Weirton housing is 44% lower than the national average
  • West Virginia general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • West Virginia state income tax is 16% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Weirton

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Compare Weirton, WV Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$59,339$4,945$1,384$1,780
      Renters$31,079$2,590$725$932
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Weirton, WV, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Weirton, the median monthly income is $59,339 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,384 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $31,079, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $725 on monthly rental expenses.

      West Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      West Virginia 6% 7%

      West Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      West Virginia 3% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.73$24.262.2%
      Beauty Salon $40.40$45.5611.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.5%
      Movie $11.77$12.133.0%
      Bowling $16.24$18.009.8%

      Groceries

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.6%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.47$4.9310.8%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $10.58$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.26$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $100.92$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $110.50$113.292.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.45$10.651.9%
      Lipitor $502.54$468.607.2%

      Housing

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $94,000.00$184,700.0049.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,225.61$2,346.695.2%
      Apartment Rent $649.00$949.0031.6%

      Transportation

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.73$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $64.05$59.926.9%

      Utilities

      Item Weirton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.68$193.9939.5%
      Phone $196.77$192.252.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Connorville, OH2271010.8%
      Smithfield, OH8278218.4%
      Stratton, OH3538217.6%
      Newell, WV1,2748217.5%
      Wellsville, OH3,3368317.4%
      Weirton, WV18,4588712.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Orange, TX18,4589010.4%
      Chowchilla, CA18,44311111.4%
      Fairmont, WV18,4438712.9%
      Sartell, MN18,4391066.3%
      Hybla Valley, VA18,43813232.1%
      Weirton, WV18,4588712.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.