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Charleston, WV

Cost of living in Clay County, WV

Part of the Charleston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,713/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 7,946 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $856 32%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $414 15%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $306 11%
Energy $192 7%
State tax $90 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Clay County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$723
per month
1 bedroom
$856
per month
2 bedroom
$1,054
per month
3 bedroom
$1,356
per month
4 bedroom
$1,397
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Clay County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$42,790
per year
Individual earnings
$35,351
per year
Per capita
$23,748
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Clay County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$107,100
Annual property tax
$369

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Clay County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$2,304
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Clay County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Clay County

State and local tax rates for West Virginia.

State income tax
5.1%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Clay County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
38.8 min
Drive alone
75.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
7.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Clay County

What it costs to live in Clay County each month.

Single person
$2,713
per month
  • Rent $856
  • Energy $192
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $414
  • State tax $90
Couple
$3,640
per month
  • Rent $1,054
  • Energy $230
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $386
  • State tax $114
Family
$6,058
per month
  • Rent $1,356
  • Energy $288
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $386
  • State tax $114

Frequently asked questions about Clay County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Clay County?

In Clay County, WV, a one-bedroom apartment averages $856 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,054 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,356 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Clay County?

In Clay County, WV, the average household income is $42,790 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $35,351 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Clay County?

The estimated cost of living in Clay County, WV is approximately $2,713 per month for a single person, $3,640 for a couple, $6,058 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Clay County?

The combined sales tax rate in Clay County, WV is 6.56%, which includes the West Virginia state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.56%.

Is Clay County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Clay County, WV would need approximately $2,713 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $42,790 per year ($3,566 per month). Clay County has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Clay County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Clay County, WV is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Clay County?

The average home value in Clay County, WV is $107,100, with average annual property taxes of $369, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Clay County compare to other areas?

You can compare Clay County, WV with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Clay County is in the Charleston, WV metro area.

Other counties in West Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in West Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in West Virginia

Compare Clay County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources