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Charleston, WV

Cost of living in Kanawha County, WV

Part of the Charleston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,794/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 178,198 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $856 31%
Federal tax $483 17%
Healthcare $480 17%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $306 11%
Energy $192 7%
State tax $102 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Kanawha 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 Kanawha County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$58,887
per year
Individual earnings
$39,618
per year
Per capita
$36,168
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kanawha County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$135,000
Annual property tax
$922

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kanawha 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 Kanawha County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.7%

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 Kanawha 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 Kanawha County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.5 min
Drive alone
77.9%
Public transit
1.7%
Work from home
8.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kanawha County

What it costs to live in Kanawha County each month.

Single person
$2,794
per month
  • Rent $856
  • Energy $192
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $483
  • State tax $102
Couple
$3,952
per month
  • Rent $1,054
  • Energy $230
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $634
  • State tax $178
Family
$6,370
per month
  • Rent $1,356
  • Energy $288
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $634
  • State tax $178

Frequently asked questions about Kanawha County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kanawha County?

In Kanawha 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 Kanawha County?

In Kanawha County, WV, the average household income is $58,887 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,618 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kanawha County?

The estimated cost of living in Kanawha County, WV is approximately $2,794 per month for a single person, $3,952 for a couple, $6,370 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kanawha County?

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

Is Kanawha County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kanawha County, WV would need approximately $2,794 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $58,887 per year ($4,907 per month). Kanawha County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kanawha County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kanawha County, WV is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kanawha County?

The average home value in Kanawha County, WV is $135,000, with average annual property taxes of $922, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kanawha County compare to other areas?

You can compare Kanawha County, WV with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kanawha 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 Kanawha 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