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Bluefield, WV-VA

Cost of living in Mercer County, WV

Estimated monthly cost
$2,541/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 59,062 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $683 27%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $415 16%
Transport $320 13%
Groceries $306 12%
Energy $192 8%
State tax $90 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Mercer County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$584
per month
1 bedroom
$683
per month
2 bedroom
$852
per month
3 bedroom
$1,168
per month
4 bedroom
$1,250
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Mercer County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$47,799
per year
Individual earnings
$35,467
per year
Per capita
$28,201
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Mercer County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$118,600
Annual property tax
$589

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Mercer 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 Mercer County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.7%

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 Mercer 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 Mercer County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.4 min
Drive alone
82.7%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
6.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Mercer County

What it costs to live in Mercer County each month.

Single person
$2,541
per month
  • Rent $683
  • Energy $192
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $415
  • State tax $90
Couple
$3,532
per month
  • Rent $852
  • Energy $230
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $460
  • State tax $134
Family
$5,964
per month
  • Rent $1,168
  • Energy $288
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $460
  • State tax $134

Frequently asked questions about Mercer County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Mercer County?

In Mercer County, WV, a one-bedroom apartment averages $683 per month, a two-bedroom averages $852 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,168 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Mercer County?

In Mercer County, WV, the average household income is $47,799 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $35,467 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Mercer County?

The estimated cost of living in Mercer County, WV is approximately $2,541 per month for a single person, $3,532 for a couple, $5,964 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Mercer County?

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

Is Mercer County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Mercer County, WV would need approximately $2,541 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $47,799 per year ($3,983 per month). Mercer County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Mercer County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Mercer County, WV is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Mercer County?

The average home value in Mercer County, WV is $118,600, with average annual property taxes of $589, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Mercer County compare to other areas?

You can compare Mercer County, WV with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Mercer County is in the Bluefield, WV-VA 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 Mercer 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