Skyline of Wheeling
Cost of Living: 82 27,000

Wheeling, WV, US

Historic Ohio River city with the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and Oglebay Park.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 85

Affordable

Median Income $42,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.2%

Job market health

Wheeling vs US Average

Cost of Living
Wheeling: 82
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Wheeling: 85
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Wheeling: 6.5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $42,000
  • Unemployment: 4.2%
  • Population: 27,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 84°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $150,000
  • 1BR Rent: $800/mo

Cost of Living

Wheeling's cost of living index is 82 (US average = 100).

CategoryWheelingNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing85100-15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$150,000
Median Rent (1BR)$800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft$100

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Wheeling:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$99Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$81Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$315Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Wheeling scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
82
Rent
$800
Sunny Days
170
Tax
6.5%
Unemployment
4.2%
Climate
84°F / 24°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
27,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Wheeling has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April69°F39°F2.8"
July84°F59°F1.5"
October64°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Wheeling faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Ohio River flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0.59% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to May/June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late May to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wheeling, WV, US?

The cost of living index in Wheeling is 82, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Wheeling?

The median home price in Wheeling is $150,000. The housing index is 85.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wheeling is approximately $800/mo.

Does Wheeling, WV have income tax?

Wheeling is in WV, which has an income tax rate of 6.5%.

What is the climate like in Wheeling?

Wheeling enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 84°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.