Welch 65 Good
Welch Livability #126 ranked city in West Virginia#13,064 ranked city in the USARanks better than 55% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Welch

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Welch?

Located in the state of West Virginia, Welch is a smaller city with a population of 2,943 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (69% White). Given that fact, Welch could be considered less diverse than other cities. Welch is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 41% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Welch offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Welch could be a positive experience compared to other cities in West Virginia if you know where to look. 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. Finding the best places to live in Welch and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, education, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 64 out of 100, Welch is ranked #12,771 in the United States and #122 in West Virginia. For each of the livability categories, we see that Welch ranks very well for crime (A) and housing (A-). Regrettably for Welch, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Managing monthly expenses, from grocery bills to never-ending utility costs, can swiftly accumulate. Fortunately, we're delighted to share that the cost of living in Welch is 21.47% lower than the national average. This translates to a tangible reduction in those persistent monthly expenditures, making Welch a city where you can anticipate lower costs across the board when compared to many other urban areas. This financial advantage not only eases the burden of day-to-day living but also allows for a more budget-friendly lifestyle, ensuring that your hard-earned money goes further and providing an appealing incentive for those seeking to improve their financial well-being in a world where expenses continue to rise.

The unemployment rate in Welch has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

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 Welch 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Welch is actually affordable. The median home price for Welch homes is $98,117, which is 48.9% lower than the West Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Welch, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the West Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Welch

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Compare Welch, WV Livability

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      Welch transportation information

      Statistic Welch West Virginia National
      Average one way commute15min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work88.7%82.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.7%9.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.6%0.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home0.0%3.1%4.6%
      Source: The Welch, WV data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.