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Morgantown, WV

Cost of living in Preston County, WV

Part of the Morgantown Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,749/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 34,204 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $844 31%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $455 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $306 11%
Energy $192 7%
State tax $97 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Preston County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$838
per month
1 bedroom
$844
per month
2 bedroom
$1,065
per month
3 bedroom
$1,283
per month
4 bedroom
$1,788
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Preston County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$61,373
per year
Individual earnings
$37,904
per year
Per capita
$28,645
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Preston County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$157,700
Annual property tax
$747

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Preston 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 Preston County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.9%

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 Preston 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 Preston County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
31.3 min
Drive alone
75.8%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
7.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Preston County

What it costs to live in Preston County each month.

Single person
$2,749
per month
  • Rent $844
  • Energy $192
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $306
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $455
  • State tax $97
Couple
$4,013
per month
  • Rent $1,065
  • Energy $230
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $507
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $674
  • State tax $188
Family
$6,347
per month
  • Rent $1,283
  • Energy $288
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $769
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $674
  • State tax $188

Frequently asked questions about Preston County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Preston County?

In Preston County, WV, a one-bedroom apartment averages $844 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,065 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,283 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Preston County?

In Preston County, WV, the average household income is $61,373 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,904 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Preston County?

The estimated cost of living in Preston County, WV is approximately $2,749 per month for a single person, $4,013 for a couple, $6,347 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Preston County?

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

Is Preston County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Preston County, WV would need approximately $2,749 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $61,373 per year ($5,114 per month). Preston County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Preston County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Preston County, WV is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Preston County?

The average home value in Preston County, WV is $157,700, with average annual property taxes of $747, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Preston County compare to other areas?

You can compare Preston County, WV with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Preston County is in the Morgantown, 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 Preston 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