| Index | Wheeling | West Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 85 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 94 | 100 |
| Housing | 63 | 62 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 94 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 91 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Wheeling? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Wheeling stands at 88, making it 12% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Wheeling. The feedback revealed that 56% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 44% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Wheeling is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Wheeling, for example, the median home price is 38.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 32.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Wheeling boasting a median household income of $62,582, which is 23.1% lower than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Wheeling, the housing index comes in at 36.7% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Wheeling, the transportation index is 2.7% lower than the national average.
The Wheeling cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $90,559 | $7,547 | $2,113 | $2,717 |
| Renters | $29,820 | $2,485 | $696 | $895 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| West Virginia | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| West Virginia | 3% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Glencoe, OH | 68 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Connorville, OH | 236 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Smithfield, OH | 846 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Beech Bottom, WV | 648 | 82 | 18.2% |
| McMechen, WV | 1,903 | 82 | 18.2% |
| Wheeling, WV | 27,630 | 88 | 11.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chaska, MN | 27,617 | 114 | 13.8% |
| Temple Terrace, FL | 27,643 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Norco, CA | 27,611 | 163 | 63.1% |
| West Islip, NY | 27,610 | 149 | 49.2% |
| Hutto, TX | 27,658 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Wheeling, WV | 27,630 | 88 | 11.8% |
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